Vivi patted her leg. “Give him time.”
Johanna took Vivi’s hand in hers. “I don’t deserve your kindness, my lady, but know I am your humble servant from this day forward.”
She squeezed her hand in response. “Allow me to send for water and then we can start on your hair.”
***
Luke couldn’t help but smile when Vivian came out of the inn and tugged up the waistband of the trousers she was about to lose. Even with her hair tucked under a hat and dressed like a bedraggled gentleman after a long night at the tables, she was breathtaking. He couldn’t believe his good fortune in finding a wife who suited him so well.
Brookhaven would not be as lucky, but since the viscount seemed to be in the market for a household manager, he hadn’t made a poor deal. Johanna would manage his household, and Luke had warned Brookhaven he might find himself managed as well. Nevertheless, the viscount was a grown man.
“Shall we go, Lord Vivian?”
She wrinkled her nose at him. “I suppose we should before everyone begins to stir at the castle. I’m not certain I could explain my attire.”
Luke linked his fingers and offered her a leg up. Once she was settled in the saddle, he squeezed her thigh. “The advantage to being a duchess is you need not explain yourself to anyone. A few days under Mother’s tutelage and you will be well prepared to manage anyone who tries to tell you differently.”
She giggled. “She is outspoken at times. I like that about her.”
He mounted Thor and signaled him to begin the walk back to Irvine Castle. The return trip would take longer with Brookhaven’s mount tied behind his horse, but Luke didn’t mind. He was with Vivian.
“How many children do you want?” she asked as they rode side by side down the dusty lane.
“Not six!”
“But that is how many your mother bore.”
“Yes, but my siblings are all terribly annoying. My parents should have stopped with perfection.” He grinned at her. “You shouldn’t mention that in front of any of them, mind you.”
She laughed. “Your secret is safe.”
Although she spoke in jest, he knew she was being truthful. He would always be able to trust her with his secrets, with his heart, and she could trust him to do the same, although he would love to tell his brothers of her antics at Brighthurst House. Richard and Drew would find the tales amusing, but it was also something special he and Vivian alone shared.
“Do you know what I thought when I first saw you in the spring?” he asked.
A pink flush brightened her cheeks. “I’m afraid to hear.”
“I thought you were a vision, like the ladies I saw at my bedside at Twinspur.”
She raised her brows. “Who came to your bedside?”
“I don’t know. I couldn’t see faces. I am not even certain they were women. They radiated with a warm light, and I felt everything was going to be all right again when they were there. I had the same sense when I looked at you.”
She walked her horse closer and held out her hand. He linked his fingers with hers. “I thought you looked like Sir Launcelot on your stallion.”
“From Le Morte d’Arthur? Vivian Worth, how would you have any knowledge of that scandalous tale?”
She shrugged. “My brother shouldn’t have left the book sitting out. I am not responsible for my curious nature. You should prepare yourself, Your Grace. I fear I may scandalize you often.”
“I hope so,” he said with a wink. “But seeing as how you haven’t done or said anything scandalous in the last thirty seconds, I’m not sure whether to believe you. There is a lake on our land. Would you care to join me for a morning swim?”
“My, that would be scandalous indeed, if we were discovered.”
“I imagine it would, but where is the fun in playing it safe, dear Vivian?”
“Very well. Lead the way.”
As he guided his horse ahead of hers, she cleared her throat. He looked over his shoulder to find her grinning wickedly. “Nice view, Your Grace.”
He chuckled and turned back toward the lane.
“Luke?”
“Yes, darling?”
“I love you.”
His heart grew to twice its size. Never could he have anticipated the impact of those three little words, but they meant the world to him. “I love you, too, water sprite.”
Epilogue
Vivi was unable to stand still as she waited by her husband’s side to receive their wedding guests. She felt as if she might float off into the night sky without Luke’s arm anchoring her to the ground.
When he had suggested they exchange vows before Vicar Ramsey and invite the entire village to witness their nuptials, she had been more than a little hesitant. She was certain no one would attend and she would be humiliated on what should be the happiest day of her life.
She had been wrong about the good people of Dunstable.
Every man, woman, and child had piled into the church that morning then made their way to Brighthurst House for the wedding breakfast. Perhaps it was curiosity over what type of gentleman would take the unruly Lady Vivian Worth as his wife. Or maybe it was simply because nothing exciting had happened in their small village for years.
Whatever the reason, the guests had arrived in jovial moods and seemed to have no memory of her past. Of course Luke’s demands that Mrs. Honeywell personally call on every resident in the county to explain how she had made a grave mistake likely had something to do with the reception Vivi had received upon her return.
Now, the celebration had carried over into the evening with Mr. and Mrs. Honeywell hosting a dinner and dance as penance. What a change in attitude Vivi’s elevation to duchess had wrought. Mrs. Honeywell had been dogging her heels at every opportunity that day, practically begging for ways to serve her. If Vivi were the vindictive type, she would have run the woman ragged trying to fulfill her requests. Instead, the dowager Duchess of Foxhaven had seen to the deed.
“Welcome to Lichefield Hall,” Mrs. Honeywell gushed as Lord and Lady Eldridge moved down the receiving line. “How happy Mr. Honeywell and I are to open our home to the duke and duchess’s friends and family. Mr. Honeywell and I have been close family friends with Lady Brighthurst and the new duchess for ages.”
Vivi almost laughed aloud at the fib, but she covered her response with a friendly smile for the earl and countess. She had learned to employ a few tricks over the last few weeks, and she would have them perfected before she and Luke returned from their honeymoon and took up residence in London for the season.
Luke covered her hand with his and smiled at her. “Are you having fun?” he whispered in her ear.
“This is the best day of my life.”
“This is just the beginning. It is my mission to make every day the best of your life.”
“My, you will be busy, won’t you?”
Luke fanned his fingers out over the small of her back, his firm touch making her feel protected and desired at once. “Fortunately for me you aren’t difficult to please.”
A fresh wave of exhilaration swept over her with the arrival of a new guest. “Oh, look! It is Dottie Kennicot. Or rather, Mrs. Quinn now. I wonder what she is doing in Dunstable.”
“She’s here to see you, of course. Vicar Ramsey’s bride thought a reunion with your dearest friend would be a fitting wedding gift.”
A thrill chased through her every time she was reminded of her cousin’s happy circumstances. Not only did Patrice enjoy a peaceful and loving existence with the vicar, she suspected she was with child.
Vivi glanced up at Luke. “Did you arrange for Dottie to be here this evening?”
“Go speak with her. She has traveled a long distance.” He gave her a gentle push toward her old friend.
She weaved through the guests gathered on the veranda and faltered in her step when Dottie met her gaze. They both stared at each other, frozen for a moment. Eventually, Dottie lowered her head and curtsied. “Your Grace.”
Vivi rushe
d forward to grab her hands. “Oh, my molasses! We have been friends far too long for such nonsense.”
Dottie’s eyes filled with tears even as she laughed. “My dearest Vivi, I have missed you so. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me for turning away from you?”
No longer did she feel the sharp edge of rejection she had once experienced when she recalled those days with no friends to share her burden.
“You had no choice, Dottie. I have never blamed you. Besides, you are here now. Come, allow me to introduce you to my husband.” Vivi linked arms with her and leaned close to speak in confidence. “He puts Sir Launcelot to shame.”
Dottie giggled, sounding just like the young girl she used to be when Vivi had read the book to her in secret.
Toward the end of the night, Vivi felt lighter than she had in years. She had married her perfect match, made her family proud of her, and renewed a friendship she had missed more than she had known.
Luke motioned for her to join him. Reaching his side, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to lead her away from the other guests, down the stone stairs, and into the night. The same starry sky that had witnessed those precious moments when she and Luke were discovering each other now bore testament to their deep love and affection.
“Thank you for this day,” she said. “I never thought I would come back here, much less be welcomed.”
Luke put his arm around her shoulders and drew her close to his side as they walked into the meadow. “You needn’t thank me. I would do anything to make you happy.”
She pulled him to a stop. “You have never asked me what happened that day.”
“I know everything I need to know,” he said and wrapped her in his arms.
“Still, I would feel better if I told you. I stayed the night in the stable and Owen kept me company, just as Mrs. Honeywell said, but I promise, the only thing on my mind was Maggie.”
“Maggie?”
“Yes, you have met her. She has sad, brown eyes and says moo.”
“The milk cow? Why, in God’s name, was a cow on your mind?”
“Because she was in labor. Why wouldn’t she be on my mind?”
He shook his head and laughed. “How silly of me. Please, continue.”
“Well, she had been laboring with her first calf all day and into the night. I couldn’t leave her until after she had given birth. The poor thing was scared out of her wits.”
“Only you would be concerned with the emotional welfare of a farm animal.” Luke hugged her close and kissed the tip of her nose. “And you wonder why I am madly in love with you.”
When his lips covered hers, her mind was at peace. Her past would stay in Dunstable, forever put to rest, while she enjoyed a future with the man she adored. And what an exciting future that would be.
Acknowledgments
I would like to take a moment to thank my dear friend, Lori, for her encouragement when I hit a snag in writing this book. She told me to follow my instincts, keep writing the story, and trust my editing team to point me in the right direction if I strayed off course. She was right.
I’m also grateful to my Sourcebooks editor, Leah Hultenschmidt, and assistant editor, Aubrey Poole. They provided excellent guidance, and their enthusiasm made this a fun experience.
I’m always thankful for my husband’s support and willingness to talk through plotting. This time, however, he also shared his expertise with concussion management. I’m pretty lucky to have married a psychologist and all-around great guy.
About the Author
Samantha Grace is the author of several Regency romance novels. Lady Vivian Defies a Duke is the final installment of her Beau Monde Bachelor series. Publisher’s Weekly describes her stories as “fresh and romantic” with subtle humor and charm. She writes what she enjoys reading: romantic comedies about family, friendship, and flawed characters who learn how to love deeply.
Samantha is a part-time hospice social worker, moonlighting author, and full-time wife and mom. She enjoys life in the Midwest with her husband, two witty kids, and a multitude of characters that spring from her imagination. Samantha is happily working on her next project. To learn more about Samantha’s books and upcoming appearances, you can visit her at www.samanthagraceauthor.com.
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