An Earl To Remember (The Yorkshire Downs Series - Love, Hearts and Challenges) (A Regency Romance Story)

by Jasmine Ashford

  Liam slid down Toby's arm and to the pillow. He felt like he had been ridden over by a carriage. He was exhausted and it seemed every part of him had breaks and bruises. But what Toby was saying caused more response than any wound.

  “You remember it like that?” He stared.

  All his life he had hated himself for his impulsiveness, hated his tendency to get involved in fights and arguments, felt he was too violent, a bully, a danger to others. The fact that he had never, ever assailed anyone without their first harming someone he had loved had evaded him until that morning. Until now.

  Above his head, he heard Toby make a noise like a groan. “Liam,” he sighed, and gently laid a pillow below his head, talking as he tended his wounded friend, “I have known you and loved you as my brother since we were both at Cambridge. I had not thought that you were as obtuse as lard.” He laughed affectionately. “How could you not know that? You are a warrior, completely and entirely. A complete brick. And sometimes I think your head is almost as thick as one, too,” he added, and affectionately rubbed his hair. Liam smiled up at him just before he fell deeply into a sleep.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX

  AWAKE

  AWAKE

  It was later, much later, and the sun was shining through the curtains, slanting down to touch Liam's eyelids even as he lay there. He kept his eyes closed, and lay there, enjoying the curious sensation of finally knowing himself.

  He smiled, and, for the first time in far too long, listened for the birdsong beyond the windows, and breathed in the fresh morning air. He breathed in the scents of rosewater and lilac, which was strange, and he heard the sound, somewhere, of a woman's voice.

  “Ada?”

  She was there. He knew it. He felt her presence before he opened his eyes to see her, her cool hand touching his brow.

  “Liam? Oh, Liam. Yes, I'm here. I'm here, my dear.”

  He opened his eyes then, and saw her sitting by the bed, her hair a flame around her shoulders, her eyes damp with tears.

  “Ada,” he breathed, and took the cool hand in his. He drew it to his lips, and kissed the ivory paleness of her fingertips, feeling in that moment as if his heart and hers had joined in some glorious merging.

  “My dear!” Ada was saying, stroking his hair back from his face, kissing his lips, his brow, his eyes. “I am so glad you are come back! When Toby brought me here, I thought you might be dead, Oh...” She ran out of words, and she kissed him.

  Liam stroked her hair and held her to his chest. Feeling suddenly shy – he was wearing only a nightshirt, and even that was wide-necked and did not cover the mess of his bruised torso – he tried to sit. He groaned.

  “My dear Ada,” he said, and carefully embraced her where she sat beside him on the bed, “I had hoped to have a talk with you soon, pertaining to your future and mine. I hesitate to do it now, when I look as I do...” He chuckled dryly. “I must look a real picture!”

  Ada, sitting beside him, laughed. “My dear, when on Earth will you realize that I love you, not what you look like? Though,” she added, “it is not that I am unaware of what you look like... it certainly adds to my sentiment toward you.” She grinned naughtily.

  Liam shook his head. “Where have I been all these years? I thought you would think me quite beastly!”

  “Oh, Liam...” Ada sighed. “I am going to pretend I did not hear that.”

  He laughed, and she laughed with him and they sat together, watching the sun rise beyond the curtains of the room.

  CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN

  SUMMERTIME

  SUMMERTIME

  Liam recovered slowly, taking regular walks around the garden with Toby or with Ada. His was healing well, and Ada declared him almost ready to venture out after a week.

  “Thank heavens!” Liam declared. They were on one of their walks, the gravel of the path crunching underfoot as they walked slowly round the trimmed hedges behind the apartment. “I have almost become ill of playing chess and cards... I need to get out!”

  Ada laughed delightedly. She had not seen Liam restless and enthused like this since she had met him. . She did not want to draw attention to the miraculous transformation, for fear of scaring Liam back into his silences.

  “Good!” Ada said instead, laughing, “as I have grown quite sick of losing.”

  Liam rolled his eyes. “I have lost as often to you, my dearest. So you have little room for dissatisfaction.”

  Ada giggled, a sound that delighted Liam. He wanted to kiss her there and then, but they were in sight of the windows and it would scandalize the servants. They were walking towards the shelter of an arbor, where he planned to do just that, when they heard footsteps crunching on the gravel path behind them.

  “Lord Tobias!” Ada hailed the man cheerfully.

  “Lady Ada,” he bowed extravagantly. “Excuse me, my friend,” he said to Liam. “I just returned from town, and...”

  “So,” Liam interrupted him, “what says our solicitor?”

  “Mr. Trenchant?” Toby bit his lip. “He says we could attempt a case, but Lord Oscar prefers to settle out of court.”

  Liam raised his eyebrow, and Ada gripped his hand beside him. “What does he want?” he asked gravely.

  “He wants a thousand pounds,” Toby said, “and a passage to the Americas.”

  Liam looked stunned. “He started it...” he began, then sighed as Toby rolled his eyes. “You're right. I did start it. But he broke Rawling's nose! He...” He gestured broadly.

  Ada's hand tightened in his, and he turned to her, seeking reassurance in those wide eyes.

  “I know,” Toby said gently. “He is in quite a mess, though... and Mr. Trenchant is right – he does have a stronger case and we would probably get thrown out at best if we went to court. I think we should consider it.”

  “I'll settle out of court,” Liam agreed.

  “Thank you, Liam,” Toby affirmed. “I think it is sensible. I shall convey that message..?” he asked questioningly.

  “If you would, Toby, I would be delighted.”

  Toby nodded and bowed to them both, then hurried from the garden.

  Turning to Ada, Liam sighed. She squeezed his hand.

  “You have chosen aright, my dear,” Ada said softly.

  “Thank you, my dear, for your assurance.” He reached for her then and drew her to him, holding her firmly against his chest in a great bear-hug. She returned his embrace and they stood like that, wordless and thankful, for a long time together.

  Wordlessly, they parted and walked a little further along the gravel path, each contemplating their own thoughts. At length, Liam turned to her, grinning bashfully. “How much is a passage to the Americas, anyway?”

  Ada looked at him and let out a peal of laughter. “My dear man. I have to love your spontaneity! You do tend to fire and aim afterward.” They both laughed.

  “How else are you going to shoot?” Liam teased her. He paused. “But really?”

  Ada smiled. “No idea. I think one can buy a passage for three pounds? On the White Star Line...” She trailed to a halt, seeing Liam smile.

  “Well, then,” Liam said, enthusiastically. “It sounds like a wonderful deal! Three pounds for a passage – if that's what it costs, dear lady, why have not we done it before?”

  Ada grinned. “A trip to the Americas? Why not?”

  Liam laughed. “I suppose “why” is a better question, since we neither of us are merchants or seeking to settle there. But we should adventure!” He swallowed, as she stared up at him. “Which brings me to my next point, my lady,” he said, voice thick with emotion.

  “Which is..?” Ada asked, her voice a whisper.

  “Will you marry me, Lady Ada?” he said, voice raw. “I mean, I can barely believe you would have me, but if you would? Would you?”

  Ada was staring up at him, her expression impossible to read. At first, Liam thought she was shocked, and swallowed, terrified he had offended her, that she would refuse him, that...

>   “Liam!” Ada breathed. “You are...you truly mean that?” her face was very grave, eyes huge.

  “Yes,” Liam said quietly.

  “Then yes,” Ada said in a small voice. “Yes, and yes!” She was laughing, and wrapped her arms around him. “Yes, I would have you. Yes, I will marry you. And yes, we shall have adventures for the rest of our lives.”

  Liam looked bemused. “Yes?”

  Ada giggled again. “Liam, my dear! How many times must I tell you. I want you. I love you. I think I always have, from the moment I saw you in the woods, though I did not know what it was I felt. I love you and would want no other from this day on. You should know that!”

  Liam grinned, abashed. “Perhaps I am foolish, my dear. But I do not think it foolish to believe myself unworthy of such a woman!”

  “You do?” Ada stared.

  “Yes,” Liam said, sounding affronted.

  “You are silly, my dear!” Ada admonished. She was crying and laughing all at once. Liam embraced her and she smelled of lavender.

  “I am silly,” he agreed. “And I love you. I love you more than life. I always have and I always will. Until my dying breath.”

  Ada stared up into his face and they kissed. Laughing, hand in hand, they ran together up the garden to the house to break their wonderful news.

  EPILOGUE

  Liam and Ada were married in the first week of summer, when the days were just warming. The late spring was Ada's favorite time of year, when all the flowers bloomed and the air was heavy with the scent of lilac.

  “Oh, my dear... Belle! Tres, tres belle...” Henriette exclaimed, standing in the doorway behind Ada, where she had just donned her veil.

  Ada blushed. “You think so?”

  “Oh, my dear... see for yourself!” Henriette exclaimed, turning her to face the mirror on the dressing-table behind her.

  Ada stood in the centre of the room, her flame-colored hair arranged in curls and bound with a silk ribbon into which were woven orange-blossomsThe silken dress fell lightly around her body, with a layer of chiffon draped over, and hung to her feet from the high waist that encircled her torso just below her breasts. The neckline was oval, and showed off her pale skin and long neck. The veil flowed from a circlet of flowers, a long chiffon veil that brushed the floor three feet behind her. Her wide brown eyes were shining and her dark lips were set in a joyful smile.

  “Is it time to go?” Ada asked at length.

  “We can leave now,” Henriette agreed, “the bride is ready, and that is what counts!”

  Ada chuckled. Her maid lifted the veil, concealing her face, and helped her to the door.

  Ada walked lightly down the stairs at Newgate Park, feeling the cool breeze drifting in from the wide garden, heavily-scented with lilacs. She could just see through the gauzy chiffon, and could make out her brother, tall and red-haired, standing at the doorway down below. He was staring up at her.

  “My dear sister,” he said, voice choked. “You look so beautiful.”

  Ada, standing beside him at the doorway, smiled up at him through the gauzy fabric.

  “Thank you, brother, dear. Are we ready? You look handsome, too,” she added, noting how well the dark velvet jacket and crisp white shirt suited him.

  He blushed and bent his arm so she could slip her arm through his. They walked slowly down the stairway to the waiting carriage.

  The chapel at Newgate Park had not been used since Ada's parents, it being too small for large crowds of guests, but Ada had insisted on it.

  Alighting from the carriage, she stared. The interior of the church was decorated with lilacs, her favorite flower. The whole room smelled like a garden. She felt a tear slide down her cheek. She had not known how loved she was.

  She looked up and saw Liam standing at the front altar. Tall and lean, in his black suit with a crisp white shirt, he was staring. His face had healed, the only mark the snaking line of scarring that ran from eye to lip. He looked breathtaking and he was looking at her with love.

  Ada felt a tear roll down her cheek and walked, tears blurring vision, up the aisle on Roderick's arm.

  Then she was beside Liam, and he squeezed her fingers, turning to her with a shy smile.

  The ceremony was brief, and after it, Liam stood in the back of the carriage, scattering the customary coins to the parishioners.

  I have such a handsome husband. Ada watched him where he stood, strong arm casting the coins high in the air, face lit with a grin. The thought was a staggering one – Liam is my husband. She laughed, grinning delightedly.

  The carriage sped off. They would spend the night in Newgate Park, and then leave for his own mansion, where they had first met. They planned to visit his ancestral lands and manor in Ireland, too, but that was planned for later.

  Now, Liam turned to her, his face lit with happiness and love. “You look so beautiful, my darling,” he whispered, and his lips found hers. He kissed her tenderly, his arm holding her close.

  Ada smiled at him as they moved tenderly apart. “And you, too, look beautiful.”

  He chuckled dryly and kissed her again and they sped off toward the manor for their first ball as man and wife.

  A SURPRISE

  A BONUS NOVEL

  BOOK 4

  A TRAGIC LADY’S SECRET

  THE YORKSHRE DOWNS - LOVE, HEARTS AND CHALLENGES

  BOOK DESCRIPTION

  A Lovely Lady…

  Lady Evelyn Donnelly is enamored with one man—and he’s haunted her dreams for a decade now. She has no idea who the Black Lord was, but she knows that she’d give almost anything to find him, even after all this time. However, she has other pressing issues at hand, such as the fact that she’s nearing an age where she might be considered a spinster, and no prospects have claimed her hand yet…

  The Black Lord…

  Lord Barrett Brokeridge enjoys his yearly visits to his family’s holdings in Ireland, simply because he welcomes any escape from his aloof and distant father, and his father’s angry outbursts. On his most recent trip, he makes the acquaintance of a beautiful neighbor, and quickly realizes that she’s the woman of his dreams. He invites her to his family home in London, not knowing that those who know his family whisper of familial curses and tragedy long-buried…

  A Vision From the Past…

  Lady Evelyn quickly realizes that that the Black Lord of her past is the father of the current Black Lord, and despite her misgivings surrounding the “curse” that hovers over the Brokeridge name, she agrees to go with Lord Barrett to London. If nothing else, she has fallen for this handsome man, though her heart is nearly torn in half when she realizes that her loyal best friend, a carter working for her family, also loves her dearly. He has nothing to offer her family though, entirely beneath her station, so she dismisses the notion of marriage. Now, she has a mystery to solve…and the clues almost lead her to the same fate as the long-dead Lady Brokeridge!

  Will Lady Evelyn discover the truth behind the Brokeridge family curse—or is it simply the superstitious prattle of the over-wealthy? Could a ghost from the past hold the key to solving the mystery fifteen years later?

  Should she marry the lord and ignore the longing of her heart for the lowly carter—Bronson? Or should she allow that dream to die—especially since he doesn’t even know his own last name?

  PROLOGUE

  Blood blossomed on the snow.

  The scarlet was such a contrast to the pale earth that it made Evelyn blink. Twelve years old, a wild and untamed girl-child, she spent most of her time climbing on the walls of the ruined castle on her father's grounds or hiding in the woods. Even with her wildness, she had never before seen a hunt. Covering her mouth with her hand, Evelyn stared as she watched the tall, dark-haired man lift the now-dead grouse by the feet and tie it onto the saddle of his horse.

  “Not bad, eh, Whitman?” he said to his companion.

  “No, my lord. You are a fine shot,” Whitman conceded.

  “Thank you,” the m
an said. He flashed a sharp-edged smile. He had fine white teeth, in contrast with the black of his hair.

  “A bit of a mess, though,” the servant pointed out, looking at the blood spotting the snow. “A shame to mar the whiteness so.”

  “Is it?” the dark-haired man asked, raising a brow. “I'm not sure. I've always rather liked the sight of blood. It stirs the heart, does it not?”

  The servant looked dubious, but shrugged. “Whatever you say, Lord Brokeridge.”

  The lord grinned and slid easily into his saddle. “Come on then. I need to head back.”

  The servant walked on behind the horse, leading his lordship's hound.

  Evelyn, hiding behind a tree, heard them pass a few feet from where she was hidden. She closed her eyes, terrified to be discovered watching them. Quite why this was so terrifying was a mystery. She just knew that the dark-haired lord and his sullen servant were not like anyone she had ever seen before.

  The otherness was not just in the man's elegance, his dark velvet coat, or his long hair. It was that smile. Sharp-edged and cruel, it slammed into her genteel and innocent world like a hammer, raising so many questions in her young and innocent mind. She kept her eyes shut as they passed.

  She heard the dog breathing in, scenting the air.

  “What is it, Borealis?” the man asked. “What can you smell?”

  The dog was standing silently, clearly scenting for prey. Evelyn dared to peep around the bole of the tree. The dog was standing still, his great head raised. He looked around and saw her.