by Abigail Agar
“I know I will. I hope you enjoy our honeymoon.”
“I know I will. After I got your letter, I told our modiste I needed clothes for very warm weather. She had to order fabric from India. Can’t get any warmer than that.”
“Will your gowns be ready?” Percy asked
“Yes.”
“I’m excited. Are you?”
Amelia jumped in, “Are you joking? She has been crazy. Wait until you talk to Frederick. He has threatened to move out. In a way, I think he liked the idea of leaving us to this craziness.”
Louisa laughed. “I don’t care. Percy, this has been so much fun.”
Amelia laughed. “We have had fun. And I understand she will redecorate your townhouse? What a lucky girl. Plan a wedding, go on a honeymoon with her wonderful husband, and then come home and redecorate their townhouse.”
Percy laughed. “And I am the beneficiary of her hard work. By the way, if Louisa needs any help on the townhouse, I encourage you to assist her. I don’t want to give my wife too much to do. I don’t want her nervous. I want to come home to her running to me, wrapping her arms around my neck and hugging me, just like today.”
“Thank you, Percy. Mother and I have talked about doing it together. I’ve never decorated before.”
*****
“You look beautiful, Louisa. You are going to upstage the bride.”
“I’m sure Emma will be beaming. She’s looking forward to today. Cecil is so excited too. I can tell just by looking at him.”
“When Kent and I met him last night at the dinner, he was jumping out of his skin. He is looking forward to their honeymoon.”
The church had more guests than Louisa thought they planned to have at their wedding. She didn’t recognize them, but Louisa thought it must be Emma’s family from out of town. She and Percy sat with Kent and Gertie.
Louisa and Gertie whispered until the clap came from the back of the church. Emma came down the aisle with her hand wrapped around her father’s arm. She was radiant.
Her gown was lilac with beading that reflected off the candlelight. She wore a flower arrangement of lilacs in her hair.
Louisa turned to find Cecil near the altar. He smiled broadly and didn’t take his eyes off her. Louisa reached over and squeezed Percy’s hand. He looked her in the eyes and squeezed back.
“He’ll make it back in time,” he said.
The wedding breakfast was delicious and fun. Percy and Louisa sat next to Kent and Gertie. When any of them referred to something that happened over the past two months, Louisa had to lean over and whisper in Percy’s ear and explain what Kent or Gertie said.
He turned to her and tipped his head near her ear. “I love when you whisper in my ear. I look forward to Kent or Gertie saying something I missed. It will bring more whispering.”
Louisa looked up at him and laughed. It rang through the small area they occupied, but the sound was so sweet, Percy felt sorry for those who couldn’t hear it. My God, he was getting corny. He needed to get Frederick back and for them to be married so his life could get back to a state of normalcy.
*****
The day before the wedding was a tense time for Amelia and Louisa. Amelia knew in her heart that Frederick wasn’t going to make it in time when late afternoon was upon them.
Louisa kept holding out hope. Amelia tried to bring her down gently, but it didn’t work. She was in a state of denial, and she didn’t hear a word Amelia said.
Amelia knew why Frederick went to Manchester when he did; she just couldn’t figure out why he didn’t get in a carriage and come back in time for the wedding. What could possibly hold him up from making his way home?
He knew how important this wedding was to Louisa. He saw how happy she was while she planned it. It was such a joyous time for them all. Whatever was happening in Manchester must have been dire indeed. His normal business wouldn’t keep him away like this.
Again, Amelia worried that he was injured and all alone up there without his family to help. She would never tell Louisa her fear, but the closer the wedding day came, the more concerned she became. She hadn’t had any correspondence from him in the last three days.
*****
Louisa told Percy he couldn’t come over the day before the wedding. She was far too busy to see him.
He thought, ‘I’m only the groom. Not very important at all. Pushed aside for wedding plans.’
He shook his head. ‘It’s a good thing she’s coming home to a new project. This has taken so much of her time she will have to find something to occupy her. Hopefully, by the time the townhouse is done, she will be expecting, and that will occupy her time.’
Kent and Cecil weren’t around. Frederick was away still. They were all beginning to worry he wouldn’t make it. He was certainly cutting it close. That left Hobart.
“Hi, Hobart. Did you miss me?” Percy said.
“Hey, stranger. Sit down. I’ll get you a drink.”
“Frederick’s still gone, and I’ve been banned from the house. I can’t imagine the tension over there. I think it’s a good thing I’m banned from the house. I’d say or do the wrong thing. I don’t know what they are doing.” Percy shrugged. “I will never understand women. I’ll leave it at that.”
Hobart handed Percy a drink. “Join the rest of mankind. A little advice? Stop trying.”
Hobart watched Percy to read him for nervousness or fear. He found boredom instead. “Did you run today?”
“I thought I’d wait until tonight. That way, my energy drain will be closer to the wedding.”
“Are you feeling good about all of this?”
Percy nodded. “Yes, I feel great. No doubts. I want her to be my wife. I would have preferred a priest and two witnesses, but it will be over soon enough. I’m more worried about Frederick. You know me; I like to worry. I don’t think he’s going to make it.”
“Then I’ll walk her down the aisle. I’ve survived a lot in life. We will all survive this,” Hobart said.
“You will enjoy this story, Hobart. I told Louisa I didn’t want to hear any wedding plans because I wanted to be surprised. She was about to launch into something about the invitations.”
Hobart laughed. “I see your problem. Like you said, it will be over soon.”
“Tell me about you. What have you been doing the last two months?”
“Frederick has been a frequent visitor. His wife and his daughter have been driving him out of the house almost daily. He’s mumbled a couple of times about you taking off and leaving him alone.
“He’s looking forward to the quiet when you are on your honeymoon, and then when his daughter and his wife are redecorating at your townhouse he’ll have the house to himself for a couple of hours a day.
Hobart shook his head. “He should have gone to Manchester months ago when the problem first came up. At that time, Louisa then Amelia were sick.” He shrugged. “Weddings are a woman thing.
“He’s lucky he has only one daughter.”
Percy rose. “I’m going home to eat. Then before bed, I’ll run.”
Hobart said, “That’s a good idea. Go for the run then you’ll sleep better. And you won’t be as fidgety in the morning.”
*****
Percy stood next to the priest. They were waiting for Louisa to walk down the aisle. She was beyond upset that her father didn’t make it back for the ceremony. Her eyes were red-rimmed, as were Amelia’s, and her smile was not bright. It was forced. She held out hope until the last minute – until now that he would come.
Louisa and Hobart stood in the church entrance. Percy couldn’t help noticing how grief-stricken Louisa was. He looked around. There were a lot of guests here. It looked like he would have to glad-hand with every member of the House of Lords.
She wore a beautiful cornflower blue dress. The dress flattered her figure and made the colour of her eyes shine. Or, it should have. They would have shone had her father been there.
Hobart had Louisa’s hand in the cro
ok of his arm and was halfway down the aisle when someone yelled the word ‘stop.’
He turned to see Frederick running toward them, out of breath and in his travelling clothes.
Louisa didn’t care. She put out her arms.
“Oh, Father, you came.”
“I did. Did I miss anything?”
“You almost missed walking her down the aisle. Now get to the back, and we’ll start this over,” Hobart said.
Louisa beamed, and Frederick nodded. They went to the entrance of the church and stood until they heard the clap.
Her hand was in the crook of his arm. She looked up at him with a radiant smile.
“You made it.”
“Barely,” Frederick said.” “I’m sorry I’m not dressed. And I probably smell like horses. I travelled through the night.”
“You look handsome to me,” she said.
“Frederick.” Percy nodded.
“Hi there.” he grinned as Louisa joined him, and they turned towards the priest.
“Hi,” she said taking deep breaths. She was nervous. For once, he didn’t think it was because of him. Frederick and this big, fancy wedding caused it. She wanted everything to be perfect. It was already far from perfect, and the priest had yet to say a word.
And memorable. He would probably forget most of it within the year. He would never forget Frederick’s dramatic entrance, and he knew he would never forget Louisa lifting her skirts to wade up to her ankles in the warm ocean water in Sicily.
The priest jarred him out of his thoughts, starting the ceremony. His lovely bride and best friend was breathing normally now. A good sign.
He and the reluctant priest had agreed that Percy could speak after the exchange of vows. Percy had been frustrated by the priest’s unwillingness to go against the church protocol, but Percy had finally persuaded him with a generous donation to the church.
While they were facing each other after their vows had been spoken, Percy shocked Louisa and the rest of the guests by speaking directly to her.
“Louisa. You are my love, the only person who has ever given me unconditional love. Since the day we met, our souls knew we belonged together. Our brains needed to catch up.”
There was laughter from the guests, something Percy had expected.
“I want to thank you for allowing me to be your husband. It is a great privilege, and I will never take it or you for granted. I love you.”
With tears in her eyes, Louisa said, “And I love you.”
THE END
Can't get enough of Louisa and Percy? Then make sure to check out the Extended Epilogue to find out…
Will Louisa and Percy extend their family?
How did the business in America fare?
How did Cecil and Kent do with their lives?
Click the link or enter it into your browser
http://abigailagar.com/extended
(After reading the Extended Epilogue, turn the page to read the first chapters from “Loving a Fearless Duchess”, my Amazon Best-Selling novel!)
Loving a Fearless Duchess
Introduction
Penelope is beginning her season in London as an underdog. She will compete for the attention of marriageable gentlemen along with beautiful girls with flawless beauty while she has a large scar marring hers.
Nash met Penelope years ago and experienced an instant connection with her. Defying the odds, Nash and Penelope meet and connect again. But Penelope's cousin Henry works relentlessly to break them up. He is fearful his secret will become common knowledge if she marries Nash because Henry will no longer have leverage over her.
As the only son and heir to the Duke of Somerset, Henry's future depends on the course of this relationship, a relationship he is determined to end.
Chapter 1
Penelope Balfour stood facing the mirror and looked at the eighth ball gown she had tried on today. The modiste her mother Cecilia used had made all eight gowns with an eye toward Penelope’s hourglass figure.
Madame Leduc had raved endlessly about Penelope’s chestnut brown hair and her warm brown eyes. She showed Penelope and Cecilia how well Penelope could wear both pastels and jewel tones. Something not a lot of girls could do.
Cecilia was pleased. Penelope looked beautiful in every gown. Cecilia would take them all, on Penelope’s approval of course.
But Penelope still stood facing the mirror looking at the eighth ball gown she tried on today seeing nothing but the scar on her face. The first seven gowns she tried on she barely noticed either. She would start her first season in two weeks, and all she could think about was her scar.
Penelope had had the scar for four years. Her mother and her older brother, Edward told her they were so used to it they never noticed it anymore. But everyone else noticed it. How could they not? It ran along her hairline from her temple to the bottom of her ear on the left side of her face.
It was most visible next to her ear where the unpleasant white line didn’t have her hair to hide it. She had to wear her hair in the same style day in and day out to help cover it. Her hair swept to the side and in a style where it draped loosely down and forward to cover the unpleasant left side of her face. At least her hair looked good that way.
If she blushed pink, her scar turned a light red, having a life of its own. If she were angry, it turned a deep purplish red. If she cried, it turned dark red. She could no more control it than she could control the blinking of her eyelids.
Cecilia looked at her. “Well, Penelope. How do you like it?”
“It’s beautiful,” Penelope said.
Cecilia let out a sigh of relief. “Yes. Madame Leduc certainly knows her way around the colour palette. We’ll take this one also, Madame.”
Madame Leduc beamed. “Penelope, you are so lucky you can wear almost any colour. I will finish alterations before your first ball. Let me get the fabric swatches.”
Cecilia looked at Penelope, trying to read her thoughts. “Shall we take the swatches to the cobbler? Or go to get matching ribbons? Gloves? Hats?”
Penelope gave her mother a small smile. Her energy was sapped. She needed so much strength just to go out of the townhouse door and into the questioning glances on London’s streets.
“Tomorrow, Mother?”
“Of course,” Cecilia said. “Let’s go home and have some tea.”
Cecilia, Edward, and Penelope shared a townhouse in London with Cecilia’s brother, Avery Stanton, the Duke of Somerset, and Avery’s son, Henry. Tragically, Cecilia’s husband, Albert, had died suddenly. That was when Avery took in Cecilia’s family.
All, including Avery, were happy with the arrangement. He was admired for the kind gesture, and he liked the admiration. If it weren’t for Avery’s wayward son, Henry, it would be perfect.
Henry was a tall, handsome man with a mean streak. Penelope tried to come up with something that softened the word ‘mean’, but she couldn’t. It seemed such an awful thing to say about her cousin. Menacing, sinister, and disruptive all came to mind, but she somehow always returned to mean. The word fit best. Just looking into Henry’s eyes made Penelope shiver.
Penelope stayed as far away from Henry as she could. Not always an easy thing to do. For a reason Penelope never understood, Henry found pleasure trying to get under her skin.
After arriving home from the modiste, Penelope went up to her bedchamber for a rest. She lay in bed looking up at the fabric that made a canopy overhead. Why was she so tired? And melancholy?
Penelope was about to start her first and hopefully last season. She, as well as all girls her age, had dreamed of this since they were small. Balls, musicals, the theater, rides through the park with gentlemen looking for a wife. All fun.
But the thing that had plagued her for the past four years plagued her now. Her scar. She would be in a crowded ballroom hoping for dance partners – dance partners who would not end up running in the opposite direction when they saw her. The girls would whisper while looking back at her every so o
ften to see if the scar was still there. Did they think it might disappear? She wasn’t sure she was strong enough for the rejection.
Penelope sighed and turned to her side. No wonder she was tired. The season would be very long, she feared.
After her rest, Penelope found Cecilia in the parlour with the fabric colour swatches on her lap.
“Hello, Mother,” she said with an enthusiasm she didn’t feel.