“Emma seems to be feeling better,” she murmured once they were out of earshot, glad to find something normal to speak on.
“She is tired, but very happy.” He smiled. “She would not listen to reason, and insisted on coming today.”
“I have missed her,” she said.
“You have been missed.”
Did his words hold additional significance? His look certainly seemed to suggest so.
“I trust all has been resolved since … since …”
“Since that awful day? Yes. I’m glad to say it appears to be the case.”
“What will happen since Pratt’s …” She swallowed. “Since Pratt’s death? I imagine the estate will go to his cousin who is next in line. Pratt always thought him a poor choice because his cousin is a clergyman and has been known to squander—Pratt’s words—his income on establishing orphanages and the like.”
“He sounds a very good man.”
“He is, which is why Pratt despised him. But as far as Emma is concerned, she is entitled to what remains of the monies settled upon her at her marriage, which won’t be insubstantial. Of course, if she had birthed a child, things would be far more complicated …” His voice trailed away.
She nodded, as memories rose again of that fatal day. “Such a terrible time it was.”
“And yet you were so brave. How did you do it?”
“Do what, sir?”
“Risk your life for Emma’s. I will never forget you flinging yourself to protect her.”
“I … I had no thought for myself. All I could think was that I could not let her be hurt anymore.”
“And this, while you were hurt yourself?” He stopped, turned to face her, and clasped her hands. “I know my words on that night hurt you deeply. I can never forgive myself for upsetting you so. I only wanted to protect you, for I feared that if Pratt knew the extent of my regard, he would only try to injure you further. Please, say you will forgive me.”
“Of course I do,” she said softly.
“You are so good.”
Her conscience smote her. “But I fear you will have to forgive me. I did not know Mr. Browne was in your employ, and I … I might have suggested to Mrs. Baker that he was linked to the excisemen. That was why he wasn’t there to protect Emma. I’m so utterly sorry.”
“So that was why he was found locked in a hotel cellar,” he said softly, his face taking on a rueful expression. “I should have trusted you with the truth. Again, I am sorry.”
“It is no matter. Unless he was hurt?”
“Rather, he was ashamed at allowing his curiosity to overcome his orders, and embarrassed to have been taken in by two women like Mrs. Baker and Mrs. Belcher, and then allowing himself to be bound. He is unlikely to live down that shame or find similar employment anytime soon.”
Caroline bit her lip. Poor man. “But at least Emma is safe now, and seems so much happier and healthier.”
“And yet not everything is as it ought to be.”
Her brows rose, and he guided her underneath a graceful willow, where they were half obscured by dangling leaves.
“Yes.” He gently squeezed her hands. “There is one very important thing left to rectify. I do not know how I could have ever not known you in my life. You are wise, and witty, and courageous, and clever, and so very much more lovely than anyone I have ever beheld.”
Caroline’s chest throbbed with a hundred emotions. She tamped down the elation with a self-deprecating, “You are somewhat blinded, sir.”
He chuckled, shaking his head. “No, not at all. Instead, since I have met you, I feel as though the scales have fallen from my eyes.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “I love you. You are the woman I have been praying for these many years. Please, dearest Caroline, won’t you make me the happiest man in the world and consent to be my wife?”
Her heart fluttered. This clever, intriguing man wanted to marry her? “Sir—”
“Gideon,” he pressed.
“Gideon.” She felt a blush. How bold it was to speak his Christian name aloud!
“I love to hear my name upon your lips. But, my dearest, I have one further confession.”
“What is that?”
“My name. It is not truly Gideon, although it was one I was christened with. My first name is Erasmus.”
“Erasmus?”
“Unfortunate, is it not? Perhaps you can understand why I prefer Gideon.”
“Gideon, the brave soldier, who slew the enemies of the Lord.”
“You think of him like that? I always think of him as the man who put God to the test.”
“We all test God at times, do we not?”
“Yes.” He paused, licked his bottom lip. “I feel like I am being tested now. You cannot know how much it has hurt me, knowing you doubted my regard.”
She lowered her gaze. How could she have doubted him?
“Let me assure you, my dearest Caroline, that I love you, and that no one else has ever truly lived within my heart.” His voice dropped to a half whisper. “Please, stop this Gideon from feeling tested and let me know if you can find it in your heart to believe that I love you.”
She swallowed, and nodded.
“And will you consent to marry me?”
“I am conscious of the tremendous honor you do me—”
“But?” His face drooped with disappointment.
“And I would be honored to marry you,” she finished in a whisper.
His smile illuminated his face, and before she could take another breath, he had moved swiftly to capture her lips with his.
A dizzying array of sensations swirled within. The joy of knowing she was sought! The scandal should they be seen. The ardor stirring deep within as his fingers reached to her cheek, then moved to cradle her head as he deepened the kiss.
Oh …
Was this what passion felt like? Her insides stirred with strange heat, her chest seemed like it might burst. She felt herself grow breathless. Who knew a man of science would know how to thoroughly kiss a woman like this?
The sound of a snapped twig drew their lips apart and their attention to where Lord Kenmore stood, arms crossed, amusement creasing his lips upwards.
“From the looks of that it would appear matters have been resolved satisfactorily.”
“They have,” Gideon said, grinning at her, before picking up her hand and pressing it with his warm lips. “Caroline has consented to marry me.”
Lord Kenmore bowed. “Then I felicitate you, Miss Hatherleigh. You could not have chosen a better man.” He turned to his friend. “And I felicitate you, for you could not have chosen better either.”
“Thank you,” Caroline said, shyness stealing over her.
“And may I encourage you both to swift nuptials, as judging from the intensity I saw displayed here a moment ago, it would appear that such haste might be necessary.”
“Kenmore!”
Caroline ducked her head, the heat of mortification streaming through her.
“Ah, Miss Hatherleigh, please forgive me. I am rather pleased to know you bring my friend such happiness.”
“Then please refrain from making my betrothed feel otherwise,” Gideon said, wrapping an arm around her protectively. “I would not have her embarrassed by you.”
“Again, I offer my apologies, Miss Hatherleigh. But you must be aware that in marrying my friend you will inevitably be placed in situations where encounters with me may well bring a certain degree of embarrassment at times.”
“I understand,” she said. “Just as long as you understand that most of those times the embarrassment will not be of my doing, and thus, not mine to share.”
This sally elicited a chuckle from both men, and for Gideon to hold her hand a little tighter. “See? I knew I had chosen well.”
“You need someone with quick wits for when your own are so sadly lacking.”
By now they were returning to where Emma awaited them, a smile on her face. “I can tell from the delight on yo
ur faces that the answer must have been positive.”
They had all known?
“Congratulations, dearest Caroline! I’m so very glad to welcome you to the family.”
Caroline was engulfed in a close hug, most unlike the polite pats and stiff embraces her family tended to use.
“He really is the best of brothers, you know.”
“Even better than the marquess?”
“Oh, James is good, too, but he’s ever so busy. I do hope you can meet him soon.”
“I hope so, too.”
“I know he called upon you recently and, as he attends Parliament, I expect he will call again soon.”
“I’m sure my father would be very pleased to further their acquaintance.”
“Your father said as much when I spoke with him at his club last night. Come,” said Gideon, smiling at them both. “Let us return so we can deliver the glad tidings.”
“I hope Mama will be pleased.”
And, to Caroline’s great delight—and not a small amount of relief—she finally was.
CHAPTER THİRTY
Aynsley, Somerset
June
THE DAY THAT would make her a wife held every promise of good in the blue and cloudless skies. Various household members woke early, with so many tasks to accomplish before the service at ten, or in Caroline’s case, unable to sleep due to the excitement thrumming through her veins. How she hoped all would go well. How she hoped she’d look her best. Her gown was a beautiful concoction of ivory silk overlaid with Brussels lace, which also trimmed the ruffled décolletage and the hem and veil. Never had she felt more beautiful than when she had tried on her gown; how she hoped Gidoen thought so, too.
One member of the family seemed to hold little regard for the day’s events, though, a fact evidenced when Mama steamed into Caroline’s bedchamber as she was dressing to inform her that Verity was missing.
“Missing?”
“She cannot be found anywhere,” Mama said with a groan. “Really, she is simply the most abominable child.”
“Scarcely a child,” Caroline said, adjusting her veil. “She is just turned seventeen.”
“Exactly! You would think she would know better, but she’s not nearly ready to be presented, let alone think about being married.”
Caroline couldn’t really see her headstrong, flighty sister as marriage material. It would take a very strong man to deal with her.
“Cecilia thinks she has gone off for an early morning ride. Can you imagine? On such an auspicious day!”
“I’m sure she will return in time,” Caroline murmured, wincing as Mary dug a pin in to hold the veil more securely.
“Sorry, miss,” Mary murmured, to Caroline’s waving off of her concern.
“Well, I wish she would hurry up and return,” Mama complained. “I know she was not in favor of the dress, but truly, this running off and hiding is immature in the extreme.”
“Perhaps she has not run off, Mama. It could be that she is simply unaware of the time.”
“Since when did you start making excuses for your sister? No. It is simply unacceptable that she should wish to spoil your day with her silly antics.”
“I am sure she has no wish to spoil today,” Caroline said firmly. “She is not selfish.”
“Perhaps not. But she is heedless, and headstrong. Heaven help any man who might wish to marry her. I think Verity would as soon eat such a foolish man for breakfast.”
A smile crept past Caroline’s trepidation. She truly could not see any man ever gaining the upper hand with her hellfire little sister.
THE AYNSLEY CHAPEL having been deemed too small for the guests traveling from afar, the church of St. Michael and Mary had been appropriated in the village that bore their family name. As they passed in the carriage along the way, villagers waved and occasionally tossed flowers, their bright smiles smoothing away the tension from before.
Caroline relaxed. Verity had been found—so Cecy said—but further details she did not disclose, save to say she had been slightly injured. While this caused Caroline’s prayers to rise, she worked to tamp down her worries. Cecy had said Verity’s injury was no cause for alarm; she did not need to worry anymore.
The rich scent of her bouquet of creamy roses filled the carriage with sweetness. She drew in the heady aroma, then exhaled. Today she was going to marry a truly remarkable man whom she loved very much. She glanced at her father; a rare pleased expression filled his face as he acknowledged the tributes from the estate’s people.
“It is good to see you receiving proper respect,” he said, nodding to the genial grocer. “I am glad that people know what is due.”
“I am glad you are glad,” she said, squeezing his arm with affection.
They pulled up to the stone church, the Norman stone and square tower giving a kind of solid reassurance about the vows she was about to make. Her father stepped from the carriage and handed her down, where she was met by her mother and Cecilia.
“Verity’s inside,” Mama hissed. “She’s limping, but I told her nothing she did was to spoil her sister’s big day.”
“But if she is in pain, Mama—” Caroline began.
“Then she will perhaps learn to consider what she is about. Though that might be a trifle too much to ask.”
The bells began ringing. Cecy said fretfully, “The service needs to start, Mama.”
“The service can only start when we are there. Now, Caroline, I have to say you look very lovely.” She minutely adjusted Caroline’s veil, smoothed down her gown. “The Marquess and his family are here, and Lord and Lady Bevington have arrived.”
“I’m so glad Serena could make it.” Caroline smiled. “And Gideon?”
“His lordship is awaiting your arrival, so I suppose we best go in.”
Mother and Cecilia offered her kisses on the cheek, then hurried through the doors inside the church to take their seats. Caroline turned to her father who gave her a warm smile. “You look lovely, my dear.”
“Thank you, Father.” Was it vainglorious to admit that she felt lovely? But she did, the joyous glow filling her heart deeper than appreciation for a compliment; today felt ordained by God.
The doors were opened once more and, clutching her father’s arm, she walked slowly down the aisle, following Mama’s advice to neither hurry like an underbred young miss nor adopt a step that suggested she was older than Methuselah.
She glanced up, saw Gideon standing straight and tall in front of the altar. Her heart swelled. He was here—and he would be her husband! Suddenly she did not care if her eagerness made her scamper to the front, but her father’s hand on hers restrained her to a sensible pace.
“Remember, you are still a daughter of Aynsley,” he murmured.
But not for much longer. Soon she would be a bride of Carstairs.
At last she reached her place, and she could finally meet Gideon’s gaze.
His smile filled his face, and hers quickly followed. So much for avoiding the appearance of eagerness.
Reverend Poole welcomed them and began the marriage ceremony. “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God, and in the face of this congregation, to join together this man and this woman in holy matrimony, which is an honorable estate, instituted of God in the time of man’s innocency, signifying unto us the mystical union that is betwixt Christ and His church, which holy estate Christ adorned and beautified with His presence, and first miracle that He wrought, in Cana of Galilee, and is commended of Saint Paul to be honorable among all men …”
He continued, Caroline listening carefully, as these references to biblical events resonated within. How glad she was to now know Christ, and know, through His help, she would be able to help and comfort her Gideon, in times of both adversity and prosperity.
“If any man can show just cause why they may not be lawfully joined together, let him now speak, or else hereafter forever hold his peace.”
No impediments raised—not that ther
e were any, Caroline thought with a smile—the minister addressed Gideon. “Erasmus Gideon Kirby Carstairs, wilt thou have this woman to be 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 others, keep thee only unto her, so long as ye both shall live?”
“I will.”
Her heart glowed at his firm voice, giving her an extra measure of confidence when Reverend Poole asked about her intention. “I will.”
There was a titter across the room, as if people were amused by her slightly overloud response, but she could not hide her anticipation. Propriety was greatly overrated, after all.
“Who giveth this woman to be married to this man?”
“I do,” said Father.
Her right hand was held by Gideon’s right hand, as he repeated the vows.
“I, Erasmus Gideon Kirby Carstairs, take thee, Caroline Elizabeth Hatherleigh to be my wedded wife, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better for worse, for richer for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death us do part, according to God’s holy ordinance, and thereto I plight thee my troth.”
When it came time for Caroline to repeat such vows, her words held resolve, conviction swelling within her, as if drawing up from the very soles of her feet.
The ring was blessed and placed on her fourth finger, as Gideon declared, “With this ring I thee wed, with my body I thee worship, and with all my worldly goods I thee endow. In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost. Amen.”
She smiled, turning to meet Gideon’s grin. He gently squeezed the hand he still held, helping her to kneel.
As the minister prayed over them, Caroline closed her eyes, absorbing the words of blessing as if taking them into her very bones. Yes, she would keep the vow and covenant betwixt them made. Yes, she would do all in her power to love this man, to remain in peace, and do him good, all her days. Yes, she would do so empowered through the grace of God through Jesus Christ our Lord.
A Hero for Miss Hatherleigh Page 30