Lady In Distress (The Langley Sisters Book 3)

by Vella, Wendy

  Luke shook his friend’s hand, and then watched as the carriage disappeared down the road, with Ace riding behind, before returning to Bella. She watched him walk towards her, seeming so small on his horse, huddled in his coat.

  “It’s all right now, love. He’s gone.” Climbing up behind her, he pulled her back against him.

  “Yes,” Bella sighed, leaning into him. “We have to take the horse back with us, Luke.”

  “Why?” He looked at the animal still standing beside his horse.

  “I know he’s not ours to keep, and it’s stealing, but perhaps we could buy him. He is a lovely horse, and I promised him I would look after him if he got me back to you.” She looked up at him and he wondered if there would ever be a time that his heart wouldn’t skip a beat when she did so.

  “I don’t think he understands about promises, love.”

  “Yes, he does,” Bella said, taking the horse’s reins and handing them to him, “because he took me right to you after all.”

  Luke’s laugh was a lovely sound in the still night air.

  “That he did, and I shall be always grateful to him for that.”

  EPILOGUE

  Luke stood with Finn and Will, waiting for Bella to arrive. Behind him, the guests had assembled and there was a low hum of noise in the Twoaks Village Church.

  “Mrs. Popplehinge has an entire floral display on her head, Luke.”

  Turning his body slightly at Will’s words, he looked to where the woman sat, and indeed her headwear reigned supreme over everybody else in the church. In front of her, he saw his family all displayed in the new clothes that Phoebe had bullied them into having made.

  “I’ve heard about her.” Finn joined the conversation. “Apparently, she and my wife were not on the best terms due to a certain misunderstanding with her son.”

  “That’s a polite way of putting it.”

  Luke let Will and Finn talk while he looked around him, up at the eves where he had spent many long hours staring in his youth, counting the old wooden beams while a sermon was being read, and to the rear where he was baptized and to the pew where Bella and her family had once sat.

  “Ace has just tried to slip into the back row, but due to his size, he has every eye in the church upon him.”

  Luke turned again, this time to locate the man who had become his friend, and saw he was now seated with Ben and Alex.

  “And here comes your fiancée.”

  He’d been remarkably calm until that moment, but now that Bella was here he was suddenly beseeched by nerves. He must have made some kind of noise as Will moved closer to his side.

  “Breathe easy now, my friend.”

  “Tis a silly thing to feel such nerves, but I do, just the same.”

  “Not silly, but understandable considering the road you have both traveled to reach this moment.”

  “I love her so much, Will, I almost fear it.”

  “I know what you feel as it was no different for me when I stood in your shoes to marry Livvy, but it will pass and soon you will simply enjoy the life you will share with your wife.”

  “Thank you for standing up with me, when I know you wanted to walk Bella

  down the aisle, Will.”

  “It was my choice to make and Bella respected and understood it.”

  Neither spoke again as the music swelled around them and Bella began her journey towards him on Freddy’s arm.

  He watched Thea lead Rosie, with Livvy and a now heavily pregnant Phoebe behind them. All were dressed in pale blue with cream flowers in their hands.

  He saw Bella then, her head and face covered by a veil, her dress in pale ivory satin. She had blue flowers in her bouquet and they trembled as she walked, telling Luke she, too, was nervous. Somewhere in the church he heard Henry squeal, which made Will chuckle softly, but he did not look away. His eyes were focused on her—his love, his life.

  She reached his side and he saw through the thin lace, the soft smile she gave him, and then Freddy lifted the veil.

  “Oh, dear,” both Phoebe and Livvy whispered as they started to cry.

  Luke held Bella’s eyes as the service began, and never removed them as he spoke his vows. He heard the sniffles of her sisters and Reverend Popplehinge’s words, but he could see nothing but her, the woman he had waited a lifetime to make his.

  “You may kiss the bride.”

  She walked into him, placing a hand on his heart. She then raised her chin as Luke lowered his head, and their kiss was soft and sweet, the final joining of their two souls.

  “About bloody time,” Will muttered, which earned him a hiss from his wife.

  They walked out into the sunshine, into the love and warmth of their family and friends. Moses was driving the open carriage, with Bill as the lead horse, who had attached himself firmly to Bella’s side since her rescue of him. His mane was platted with flowers and he had been brushed until he shone.

  They accepted congratulations from everyone, and more tears flowed until the men stepped in and herded everyone back to Rossitter House, where the Duke had decided the wedding breakfast would be held.

  “Hello, Mrs. Fletcher,” Luke said when the carriage started the slow journey back through the village.

  “Hello, Mr. Fletcher.” They both had silly smiles as they held hands and waved to the villagers who had stepped out onto the streets to congratulate them.

  “Luke, why is Finn standing up in their carriage?”

  Luke dragged his eyes from his wife and looked behind to where Livvy, Will, Henry, Finn and Phoebe followed in another open carriage. Something was definitely wrong as now, Will was standing, too.

  “Driver, pull the carriage to one side and let the one behind draw beside.”

  “It’s the baby!” Livvy called to them as their carriage flew by.

  “Phoebe is having her baby, Luke. Quickly, we must follow!”

  Issuing instructions to the driver, he then sat back and kissed his wife thoroughly, knowing that it would be quite some time before he could do so again.

  ***

  Amanda Elizabeth Olivia Levermarch was born four hours later, in a room the Duchess of Stratton had readied for Phoebe as there had been no time to return to the recently purchased Levermarch residence. Livvy had been heard to declare it extremely unfair that Phoebe had hardly suffered like she had, but was happy to add that she had looked ugly during labor, which pleased both her and Hannah Wooller hugely. Doctor Brown had declared that his services were hardly required as the birth ran so smoothly, and was now sipping champagne and eating food with the remaining wedding guests, who’d declared this was the best wedding they had ever attended. A birth and nuptials was more than they had hoped for.

  Leaving Phoebe with Finn, Bella left to find her husband, smiling at how wonderful that word sounded in her head.

  “Is she well, love?” He rose as she reached his side. He’d taken off his jacket, untied his neck cloth and rolled up his sleeves, and her heart skipped knowing this beautiful man was hers.

  “She is, and now resting with Finn at her side.”

  “You look tired.” His thumb traced her lips.

  “Yes, but happy also, and now I would like to sip some champagne and eat a piece of our cake with our families.”

  They did so for another hour, talking to everyone together, and Luke never left her side. When he took her hand and led her from the room, eyes followed them but she saw nothing, only him.

  “The duchess has prepared a room, love. Will you be happy here for our wedding night?”

  “As long as I’m with you, I care not where we are.”

  He led her upstairs to their room where he undressed her. Their lovemaking was slow and passionate, and soon Bella was lost to the magic of his hands and mouth. Later, she lay in his arms, her hands clasped in his, their bodies entwined, as he placed soft kisses into her hair.

  “I love you, Luke Fletcher.”

  “And I you, my love.”

  Smiling, Bella al
lowed her eyelids to close, safe in the knowledge that when she woke it would be in the arms of the man she had loved her entire life. Her love, her life.

  THE END

  Thank you!

  Thanks so much for reading Rescued By A Viscount

  • Would you like to know when my next book is available? Sign up for my new release mailing list at www.wendyvella.com or visit me on Facebook www.facebook.com/AuthorWendyVella.

  • Reviews help other readers find books. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.

  • Here's a sneak peak of another of my Regency Romances Rescued By A Viscount, Claire and Simon's story – (Regency Rakes)

  Available now

  Viscount Kelkirk ran down the narrow lane and past the shops, his long legs covering the distance with ease. “Minerva's Miracle Cures,” he muttered, glancing at the sign above one of the shop fronts. As if crushed eye of newt and several cloves of garlic with a pinch of the ridiculous could cure anything. Put a label on something and call it the elixir of life and desperate and foolish people tended to buy it.

  Skirting two boys playing in a puddle, he increased his pace, thinking of the horse he was going to buy if he made it to the rendezvous with Daniel in time. At the end of the shops, he turned right and ran into someone coming the other way. Catching the body as she cried out, he staggered backwards until his back collided with a wall. The air expelled from his lungs in a loud whoosh. Wrapping his arms around the woman as she tripped on his feet, Simon pulled her into his chest until she steadied.

  “Please accept my apologies, madam. Are you unhurt?” he said as he fought for breath.

  “Forgive me, sir—in my haste, I did not see you coming.”

  He knew that voice.

  “Claire?”

  “Dear god!” She stumbled back a few paces, staring at him, her brown eyes wide and stricken.

  “What's wrong?” Simon said, advancing, which made her scurry further backwards. “Claire, why are you here alone…dressed like that?” he added, looking at her worn black coat and bonnet. Searching around them, he saw no sign of a maid or anyone who should be accompanying her. His eyes narrowed as they returned to her and took in her shabby appearance. Claire Belmont was never anything but elegantly attired. Every item she donned showcased the beauty of her soft cream skin, strawberry blonde curls, and lush body, yet dressed in that, she could have passed for a servant.

  “I…uh, have to go.”

  She was pale and scared; fear announced itself in every line of her face and the rigid way she held her body. She was looking everywhere but at him, almost as if she was searching for someone.

  “Who are you looking for?

  Her eyes quickly returned to his, the brown depths wary. “I must leave at once, Lord Kelkirk. Please excuse me.”

  “If you think I'll let you walk about here unescorted in a distressed state, then think again,” Simon reached for her arm as she prepared to leave, but she evaded him and then, to his stunned surprise, she picked up her skirts and ran. “Claire!” She didn’t stop as he roared her name, and in seconds, he was following. She was fast—he'd give her that—but he was bigger and his stride longer, and he was soon gaining on her. She turned briefly to see how close he was, and that gave him the opportunity he needed.

  “Claire, stop.” He grabbed her arm, but she swung her reticule, and whatever was inside connected with his jaw, sending him stumbling backwards. She didn't pause as he cursed, and in seconds, had fled. Simon waited until his ears stopped ringing and then followed. Once out of the lane, he looked up and down the street. There were plenty of carriages and hackneys but no sign of Claire. She could be inside one, but he had no hope of catching them and opening each to look. Slowly retracing his steps to where she’d collided with him, he looked down the narrow lane. Why was she here dressed in old clothes, and what the hell had the haughty Claire Belmont so upset that she would run from him like that?

  He had known her for two years, since their best friends had married, but their relationship was not what one would term close. For the most, they rubbed along with each other, however when he was with Lady Claire Belmont, Simon always felt as though someone was jabbing him in the side with a dull edged instrument. It was a nasty, irritating feeling he had never been able to shake even though he’d tried. She wasn’t like other women, who seemed more than happy to like him. Claire challenged him constantly. She said he needed provocation, as most women just gazed at him adoringly. Of course he provoked her back, because there was nothing quite as enticing as seeing Claire Belmont ruffled, her usually immaculate feathers standing on end.

  His eyes went to each of the shops. Had she come to visit one of them? Walking slowly towards the first, he looked in the small window filled with bottles and oddities. Deciding it was in her best interest to investigate further, he entered. If Claire was in trouble or ill, then she needed help and he would offer his services; however he wanted to know what he was dealing with first.

  An elderly woman appeared, dressed in so many colors that Simon blinked several times just to assure himself his eyes had seen her accurately. He was fairly certain she was wearing every color of the rainbow, starting with the large yellow bow placed on the top of her tight grey curls.

  “Good day to you. My name is Lord Kelkirk, and I would like to enquire after a lady who may have entered your establishment just minutes ago. She was dressed entirely in black.” The woman didn’t offer a nod or smile of encouragement, just studied him with her faded eyes. The scent of dried herbs was almost overpowering, and he could feel a sneeze coming as he took a few moments to look around him. Hanging from every available space was an array of dried things. Some were herbs and others appeared to be the appendages of dead animals. All were covered in dust.

  “No lady of that description has entered this shop, sir.”

  “You’re sure,” Simon questioned. After all, she was elderly and may just need another prod. His uncle was getting on in years and could be vague upon occasion.

  “Because a body is old it does not mean it’s dimwitted, sir. If I says no woman of that description has entered this shop today, then she ain’t.”

  “Would you tell me if she had?” Simon questioned. The woman cackled just as Simon thought a witch would. Pinching the bridge of his nose, he attempted to hold back a sneeze. Once started, he was unsure he could stop without leaving the shop.

  “Well now, that depends on what a person is willing to pay for the information.”

  Snorting, Simon handed over several coins, which she promptly tucked into her bodice.

  “No woman of that description has come to this shop today,” she said with a wide, toothless smile that left Simon with no doubts he had just been hoodwinked.

  “Very cunning, madam.”

  “You needs to rise a bit earlier to get anything over Bea Bugs, my lord.”

  Simon’s eyes narrowed. “Is that really your name?”

  “Course not. Don’t know as my ma had many brains, yet don’t think she’d come up with something like that. Has quite a ring to it, don’t it?”

  “An illustrious title, Miss Bugs, for a colorful lady.” Giving her a bow because really, she had bettered him without blinking and he, gullible fool he was for thinking that with age came a dulling of wits, had allowed it to happen. Pushing aside what looked to be a hanging bunch of small, pointed teeth, he then left.

  Shaking his head a short while later, he walked from the last shop with as much information as he’d had when he'd entered the first and considerably lighter pockets. No one had known anything about a lady dressed in black. So if she had not come here to visit a shop, then perhaps she, like he, had been passing through the lane en route to meeting someone. But why would the proper Miss Belmont have cause to meet anyone here? It made no sense at all.

  Now hopelessly late to meet Daniel and purchase the horse, Simon made his way back to the main street and then towards the club. He wouldn't mention this little incident to his
friend, not until he knew what the hell had just happened. And he would find out. In fact, he would be questioning Claire when next he saw her, which would very possibly be this evening.

  His first impulse had been to storm around to her house and demand an explanation, but that would achieve nothing. She would simply refuse to see him, and in turn, her family would be alerted to whatever she was doing. He was fairly certain her brother had no idea she was skulking about dressed like an old crone in a lane that, whilst not the worst in London, was hardly the best.

  Was she meeting a lover? Simon had to stop while he thought that over. Claire Belmont with a lover. No, it did not settle well with him, nor did he want it to. Ignoring the sharp, stabbing pain in his chest, he started walking once more.

  Was she ill? Had she come here to get something she desperately needed for her health? This thought made the pain intensify. Claire always looked a picture of good health, to his mind. Of course that was because she was always perfectly dressed, her hair never out of place. In fact Claire did everything perfectly, never did anything that would raise the collective eyes of society. She smiled when she should and spoke about the correct topics to the correct people. She was the epitome of all a young lady should be, at least until today. Today she’d behaved irrationally, and he was determined to find out why.

  Want to read the rest? Rescued By A Viscount is available now.

  Regency Rakes

  Duchess By Chance

  Rescued By A Viscount

  The Langley Sisters Series

  Lady In Disguise

  Lady In Demand

  Lady In Distress

  Stand Alone Titles

  Duchess By Chance

  Christmas Wishes (Novella)

  The Reluctant Countess

  Table of Contents