Drawn to the Marquess

by Evans, Bronwen

He pressed the wound to try and stop the bleeding. He sensed she had broken her collarbone but luckily it felt as if the bone had not broken through the skin. It would hurt like hell when he picked her up but he wanted to halt the flow of blood first. He kept pressing down using a piece of his shirt that he’d torn off.

  Just then he heard men approaching at a run. He picked up his pistol but was blind to see who it was. He couldn’t protect her like this. He was useless.

  “Stephen,” Alex called in surprise and hurried over. “Get some more light in here.”

  He rocked back on his feet and sighed with relief as Alex entered with his men. Alex spotted the dead Frenchman and nodded. “Good work.”

  “It was a lucky shot. I was firing completely blind.”

  Alex crouched down next to him. “The revenuers have the ship and we have rounded up the rest of his crew. Is she badly injured?”

  “No. She is trying to be brave, but I suspect she’ll faint once I pick her up. Her collarbone is broken but luckily the bone deflected the shot so it’s more of a flesh wound.”

  “Don’t talk about me as if I am not here. And can you turn me on my side please? I think I’m about to be sick.”

  He did what she asked, holding her hair out of the way while she threw up. He looked up at Alex. “I need to get her home and send young Craig to fetch the doctor. Which way do you think I should go, by sea or tunnel?”

  “Tunnel. The tide is coming in fast and the sea’s choppy. Less painful in a walk.”

  “The tunnel it is.” He bent and picked her up and cringed as Penelope screamed and fainted in his arms.

  “That’s a blessing,” Alex said. “Let’s hope she stays in a faint until you get her home. Can you manage on your own?”

  Heat flushed his face. “I don’t think so. I can’t see in the tunnel. It’s too dark. It is all right if I stumble around, but not when I am carrying her.”

  “I’ll come with you.”

  Stephen shook his head. “No. Stay here with the captives.” He lowered his voice. “Someone told the Frenchman about my eyesight. It had to be someone close to Penelope or in her household. Trust no one. And I mean no one.”

  Just then Craig came bounding into the cave from the passageway with more men. “I’ll take Craig.”

  Chapter 22

  Jonathan and Dorothea arrived that night, and Hestia was due tomorrow, after Stephen had sent word to them that the smuggler was dead and his network of men arrested.

  They were sitting in the drawing room after dinner, celebrating their victory. Penelope was in her room upstairs resting. The laudanum the doctor gave her for the pain while he attended to her collarbone had put her fast to sleep.

  Dorothea patted her stomach. “I’m so happy that you killed that awful man. I know that sounds terrible but if I had a young girl…I can’t imagine what the mothers of those stolen children went through. I hope he’s roasting in hell with Carmichael.”

  Stephen drank from his brandy deep in thought. He hadn’t told anyone what the Frenchman had shared with him. That Penelope had killed her husband. He knew she was justified in doing so; he just hated that she had used him. Anger still burned in his gut that she had made him fall in love with her.

  Seeing her pale and fragile in her sick bed made it difficult to stay angry with her. Especially as she had saved his life at a risk to her own. It gave him a flicker of hope.

  “It is such a shame Pen is wounded. Since we are all here I was hoping to attend your wedding. We’re not in any hurry, are we, Jonathan? Also it will give Mother and my sisters time to get here.”

  Stephen tried to smile and appear happy at his coming nuptials, but his confidence was in tatters and he really had no idea if Penelope loved him or merely pitied him. “The doctor said she should be up in a few days but the arm will have to be in a sling for a few weeks.”

  “So, in one week. I suspect you cannot wait to make her your wife,” Dorothea beamed at him.

  He played the part and smiled back. He thought it best to change the subject as Alex was looking at him with raised eyebrows. “I’m still concerned. The Frenchman found out about the problem with my eyes. It had to be someone in this household, so a danger lurks.”

  Alex nodded, his suspicions erased. He thought Stephen upset at the undiscovered traitor. “One of the staff could have overheard you talking.”

  Just then the butler entered with a note for Stephen. It was from David Gregory. He read the note and relief flooded him. “There is no traitor. Apparently, it was Jamie Stewart who told the Frenchman. He saw Jonathan and me at the caves that day. He overheard us discussing how the caves would be a problem for my eyes and wrote to the Frenchman.”

  “What are we going to do about Jamie Stewart?” Jonathan asked.

  “I have the home office working on that,” Stephen said. “It might take a while but we will get him, especially if he ever sets foot in England again.”

  Dorothea beamed. “So all is well. Except Penelope. What a brave woman she is, rushing to your rescue. She must love you very much. I knew she did.”

  Did she? His bruised and battered heart hoped she did, but now he did not know. His fist curled tightly around his glass. He had never wanted to marry and have children because of his condition. But she had convinced him otherwise. Was it all a lie?

  The door opened again and Jane, Penelope’s lady’s maid, entered. “Excuse me, my lord, but her ladyship is awake and asking for you.”

  He drank the rest of his brandy for courage, and rose to meet his fate.

  * * *

  —

  When he entered her bedchamber he tried to stop his resolve from softening as he saw her lying there so pale. He could see the signs of pain etched around her eyes. “Do you need more laudanum?”

  “Not yet. I have to talk with you.”

  He moved to sit on the chair by her bed and wondered if she would tell him more lies. He knew she would tell him what happened that night, but would it be the truth?

  “It was Jane’s brother, David. He arrived at my house around midnight. He claimed that Carmichael had taken his daughter, Sarah.” She finally turned to look him in the eyes. “Sarah is ten years old. You’ve met her. She’s so innocent…”

  He watched as the horror dawned on Penelope’s face once again and could imagine how she felt when she finally understood just what sort of monster her husband was.

  “David stood there screaming, accusing me of doing nothing. Of letting Carmichael get away with his perversions.” She shrugged and said, “And he was right. I did nothing because I knew nothing. Everyone kept it from me. Most assumed I knew and that I was pleased that Carmichael was not in my bed. How could people think like that? What does that make me in their eyes?”

  As tears began to trickle down her face, she held her stomach. “I think David must have assumed from my reaction that I had no idea what Carmichael had been up to. He finally told me everything. He told me Carmichael was in league with the French smuggler bringing in young girls. He also told me that at least two girls had gone missing from the village over the past year and they were pretty sure it was Carmichael.

  “I looked into David’s eyes and swore to him that we would get Sarah back. I organized my men and we made a list of all the places we thought Carmichael could take her. Once the men had dispersed, I paced the house wanting to wail against God. And then I remembered the one place that I had not put on the list. My bathing hut down on the water’s edge.

  “I ran and got dressed and made the groom saddle my mare. And I rode out—”

  “Alone?”

  “There was no one else here. The men had all gone to look for Sarah. I took a pistol with me. A loaded pistol. I had no idea what I was going do with it but it seemed sensible at the time.”

  He nodded. “That was sensible.”

  “As
I galloped along the cliffs toward the beach on the far side, I saw him. He was on his horse, holding Sarah, who was crying. He was surprised when I caught up with him but not even concerned. He laughed when I pointed the gun and told him to put Sarah down. Luckily for me Sarah managed to break free and jump from his horse. I told her to run to the manor house and she did. That was when he slipped from his horse. He tried to grab for Sarah as she ran behind him near the cliff’s edge but in his drunken state he tripped over a stone and the next thing I knew he went flying through the air and simply somersaulted right over the edge of the cliff, hitting the ground hard.”

  Stephen finally let out a breath. He wanted to believe her but it seemed implausible. “I can see why you did not want any of this known. You have no proof that it was an accident, only your word. Rotham would have played on that.” Plus, society would learn the type of man she married. She’d be ostracized once again.

  Penelope spoke softly. “I also did it for Sarah. She was completely traumatized. They would have wanted to question her, make her relive the kidnapping all over again. He—he touched her and did things to her that no child should have to endure.”

  That, he could believe. He knew her love for children and that she would do anything to protect them.

  He moved and carefully folded her in his arms, ignoring the doubt trying to invade his mind. “You should have told me.”

  On a sob she said, “I didn’t know how to trust any man, let alone you. You petrified me.”

  He stroked her hair. “Why was I so frightening?”

  She pulled back and cupped his face. “Because you made me feel. You made me hope. You made me think that I could trust you with my heart and that terrified me. What if I told you and you didn’t believe me? Or worse yet, you told Rotham the truth. I trusted a man once before, a man I thought loved me and I was forced to live a life of hell for six long, lonely years.”

  When he said nothing, she gave an anguished cry. “You still do not trust me. You don’t believe me.”

  “I so desperately want to believe you. Why didn’t you tell me when we were together at Alex’s? We shared everything, or so I thought. You told me you loved me and wanted to be my wife. Was that all a lie too?”

  She sighed and cuddled against his shoulder. “I should have told you, but by then I loved you so much and I was scared. I thought if I told you, you would think I was lying about my feelings. I understood how fragile you were about your condition. Even at Alex’s I could see you could not believe I’d want to live my life with a man who was going blind.”

  That was his fear. Even now was she simply trying to save herself thinking that if he loved her he would not reveal the truth to Rotham? “If I vowed on my honor never to tell Rotham regardless of whether you become my wife, would you still want to marry me?”

  A sob escaped her. “You accuse me of not trusting you, but trusting anyone is so hard after Carmichael. If it was easy we would all trust everyone. But I am asking you to trust me now.” She watched his face. “See, it’s not so easy, is it?” She gave a choked sob. “If you loved me like I deserve, like how I love you, you wouldn’t need your eyes to know if I was telling the truth. Deep in your heart and soul you’d know. I’m asking you to close your eyes and really see me.”

  She took his hand and placed it over her heart. “I love you more than life itself. When I saw the pistol pointed at you and he was about to fire, I didn’t hesitate. I wanted to protect you. I love you so much I’d marry you even if you told me you would never give me a child. I love you so much I’m happy to write to Rotham and tell him my version, and if that means I lose this house and my assets I’d gladly give it all up if it meant having you in my life, loving me.”

  His heart stilled and everything around him disappeared except for the beautiful face in front of him. How he longed to grab hold of what she was offering—her heart, a life filled with happiness and family.

  Tears welled in his eyes as he felt her love invade his soul. She loved him. He was in no doubt. She loved him, a man going blind, a man with trust issues of his own. He kissed her lips gently. “I’m sorry I did not believe you. But I will believe you from now on. I finally see the truth of you and I am dazzled by that truth. I love you so much I went a bit crazy thinking you did not love me back, because without you in my world, even if I have my sight it would have been dark and joyless.”

  He moved and gently laid her back on the bed. He pulled something out of his jacket pocket and got down on one knee by the bed. “I know it’s not the most auspicious time with you being injured and drugged up on laudanum, but, heart of mine, love of my life, will you trust in this stupid, prideful fool, and do me the great honor of becoming my wife?”

  He held out the ring and he could barely breathe. Had he ruined everything with his prideful distrust? His heart skipped in his chest as a smile broke over her pale lips.

  “Nothing would make me happier. I love you so much. I can’t wait to marry you.”

  He rose to his feet, his hands shaking as he slid the ring he’d bought for her, sapphires to match her eyes, on her slender finger. It fit perfectly.

  Just as they fitted each other perfectly, no matter what the future held.

  Chapter 23

  Some four weeks later, once Penelope’s shoulder was well on the mend, they were married by special license in the small chapel at Hadleigh Park. The couple kept the ceremony a private affair with only close friends and family in attendance.

  Elizabeth, Stephen’s mother, welcomed Penelope as if she were another one of her daughters. Pen loved having the elder woman to counsel her. Stephen wasn’t sure he was so keen. His mother was sharing all his secrets. He did like that the pair of them got along famously, sometimes too famously for Stephen’s comfort. At times he felt as if he’d definitely lost control of the head of the household, but it was a feeling he greatly enjoyed.

  His sisters Chloe, Claire, Frances, and Dorothea all attended, too, with their husbands and Chloe’s fiancé. A Baron Worthington had caught her eye. She could do a lot better than a baron, but Stephen took one look at the couple and saw love. He did of course have Alex check the baron out thoroughly. They would be married in December.

  Alex and Hestia, with little Christopher, had stayed at Hadleigh while Penelope recuperated so they could attend the wedding. Hestia and Penelope were now firm friends, which pleased Stephen and Alex. His only pain was that he saw how much Penelope fussed over Christopher and over Claire’s children. Not through lack of trying, Penelope was not with child and he knew that she was scared she would never have one.

  She tried to put on a brave face when she learned her courses had arrived, but he saw the longing and wished he could give her certainty. He was conflicted. On the one hand he wanted to give Penelope her heart’s desire, but on the other perhaps this was God’s way of saying it was not a good idea.

  Alex joined him as Stephen stood watching Penelope across the room holding Christopher and singing softly to him.

  “You’ll have a son of your own soon, I’m sure. It changes your world completely.”

  He turned to Alex and smiled. “I hope for a child for Penelope’s sake. I’m not certain I want a son.”

  Alex nodded. “I can see how you might think that but you’d make an excellent father, eyesight or not. I would never have made you guardian of Christopher if I thought otherwise.” Stephen remained silent, watching the wee boy in his wife’s arms. Alex continued. “Children need love, the love of their parents, and losing your eyesight does not stop you from providing that for them. Don’t let your fears ruin something that should be, would be, magical.”

  Just then Penelope looked up at him and walked toward him. Without saying a word she held little Christopher out to him. Alex reached and took Stephen’s glass of brandy from him and he had no choice but to lift the child into his arms.

  The little
boy reached out and grabbed for Stephen’s finger. “His grip is strong.”

  “Takes after his father,” Alex said with pride.

  Stephen stared down at the boy, who giggled back at him. He looked so much like Alex that Stephen could not help feeling a bond form.

  “See, not so scary, is it?” Penelope whispered. “Will you still love me if I cannot give you a son?” she asked with a wobble in her voice.

  “I will love you until you are old and gray and then beyond.”

  She smiled and stood next to him in her beautiful wedding gown and he did the only thing he knew how to do. He prayed to God to give Penelope a child, and him a son, even if it came with his affliction. Unlike his own father, Stephen would love and protect his son and show him that he could still find what was important in life—love—regardless of any obstacle he faced.

  He kissed Penelope and handed Christopher to his father.

  Stephen would be a good father.

  Penelope’s love showed him how.

  Epilogue

  HORNSBY ESTATE, DORSET—TWO YEARS LATER

  Penelope stood in the nursery, watching Stephen in the garden below with his dog, a Newfoundland called Brandy. Stephen’s sight had thankfully not worsened. He still could not see anything except that which was straight in front of him, and he struggled in dim light, but thank the Lord he was not totally blind. Rather, he was sight challenged, and her man loved a challenge almost as much as he loved her.

  That did not mean he would never go blind, nor did it mean he would. For now they lived life to the fullest and did not take a moment for granted.

  His biggest joy was that he could see his son. He had seen him born a year ago today, and he gave joyful thanks that Thomas Hornsby, Viscount Dexter, was the spitting image of his mother. Thomas had not much of his father in him, and Stephen thought that a good sign. He’d grown less fearful of his boy ending up with his affliction. She, however, hoped their next child would be the image of his father. She hoped that did not upset him.