Lady Montjoy was shaking. “Oh, d-dear God, she is Anne’s d-daughter.”
“We rarely venture to London,” the younger man said. “We did not know she would be here.”
Lucy regarded him with sorrow. “She never left Westbury.”
“Miss Longmore, this is Viscount Hartford, your late mother’s brother,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “He is your uncle.”
“My father came to see a physician,” Viscount Hartford said, “and we worried about him, so we all made the journey.”
Lucy was overwhelmed. In one fell swoop, she’d acquired a large family, one that she wasn’t certain about at all, given the events that had transpired with her mother.
Lady Thornwell and Lady Montjoy were dabbing handkerchiefs at their eyes.
“Sister, do not make yourself ill,” Viscount Hartford said, handing Lady Montjoy a handkerchief.
The elderly gray-haired man leaned on a cane as he approached Lucy. His eyes swam with tears. Viscount Hartford helped support the older man as he knelt before Lucy on bended knee. “I am not worthy of your r-regard, but I b-beg your forgiveness.”
Lucy regarded him with astonishment.
Harry leaned down and whispered, “This is your grandfather, the Earl of Wargrove.”
Lucy gasped and covered her mouth.
The younger man helped Wargrove to his feet. “Grandfather, have a care.”
Lucy could plainly see that Wargrove was in poor health, but when she thought of his cruelty, she had trouble reconciling this man with the one who had refused her mother’s letter.
Harry leaned down. “He is in ill health and needs your forgiveness, Lucy.”
“Yes, I see.” It would not be easy to forgive him.
“Lucy?” Harry said. “You are not obligated,” he whispered.
“I know, but I will speak to Wargrove,” she said, and rose to sit near him. “My lord, I will not pretend that your refusal to read my mother’s letter was not a crushing blow to her. Your actions kept you from reuniting with your own daughter.”
“I allowed my pride and anger to overrule me, and I have regretted that decision every single day, because I will never be able to see Anne again,” Wargrove said.
“She is gone, but I am not,” Lucy said. “If you wish, I will tell you about her. Her life was not one of ease, but she was a wonderful mother to me.”
“It is more than I deserve,” Wargrove said.
“None of us are perfect,” Grandmama said, speaking up. “We are all fallible. It is not the mistakes that matter. It is what you do afterward.”
“An excellent point, Mrs. Longmore,” Mrs. Norcliffe said.
Lucy learned that Viscount Hartford had left his wife in Hampshire with their children. Her aunts begged her to journey to Lansdale, Wargrove’s property in the north of England, for Christmas. Lucy promised to consider the invitation, but she was guarded. She needed time to sort out her feelings about her mother’s family before making any commitments.
“It is a great deal to take in all at once,” Lucy said to her aunts, “but I believe my mother would wish for me to know my family.”
“Perhaps a bit of air would help,” Harry said.
“I will chaperone them,” Lady Montjoy said.
Mina, Helena, and Amelia regarded Harry with merriment.
“Do observe the proprieties, Harry,” Mina said.
“Minx,” he said.
Lady Montjoy and Lady Thornwell regarded the younger set suspiciously.
“Ladies, may I interest you in a dish of tea?” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “The young people these days are quite casual in their endeavors. Of course, that is why I hold dancing competitions in my drawing room. I wish to ensure that the proprieties are observed.”
Harry leaned toward Lucy. “Did my mother just utter a bouncer?”
“I believe she did,” Lucy said, smiling.
“Miss Longmore, you are reunited with your family now,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “This is a joyous day for all of you.”
Harry looked at Wargrove. “You should know you have a very brave granddaughter.”
“Not so brave,” she said under her breath.
“Why do you say that?” Harry asked.
“I was so scared of losing you that I tried to make it happen before you left me.”
“My sweet Lucy,” he whispered. “I told you that I would never give up on us and I would never let you go.”
“I know,” she whispered. Even though she was glad to meet her family members, she mostly wanted to spend time with Harry. She’d been so sad after they had parted, and she never wanted to feel that way again.
His smile could light up a thousand candles. “Did you miss me?”
“I missed you the moment you left. I can’t bear being parted from you,” she said under her breath. “I’ve done nothing but cry since the day I told you we must part. I love you, Harry,” she whispered.
A strong emotion showed in his eyes. “I love you more than words can express,” he said. “I feared I would lose you, and I knew I could not bear it. You are my heart, and my life. I cannot live without you.”
“I thought it would be kinder to set you free, but I could not bear it,” she said. “I love you too much to ever let you go again. Would you do me the honor of walking through the rose garden?”
“Yes, I would enjoy that,” Lucy said.
“Perhaps we should all visit the garden,” Amelia said.
Mina laughed. “I believe Harry was hoping for a little privacy.”
“First, I wish to speak to Mrs. Longmore,” Harry said. “Lucy, I’ll return shortly.”
Harry led Mrs. Longmore to the adjoining library.
“Well, Granfield,” Mrs. Longmore said. “What have you to say?”
“This may be a bit unusual, but I wish to ask your permission for your granddaughter’s hand in marriage.”
Mrs. Longmore squeezed his hand. “I know you will be a good husband to her. Permission is granted.”
He bent down and kissed her cheek. “Thank you. I do love your granddaughter, and I hope you will come and live with us. I know that would make Lucy happy.”
Harry held Lucy’s hand as they walked down the fragrant row of roses. “Let’s sit on the bench,” he said.
Lucy recalled that afternoon when Mrs. Norcliffe had made her so uneasy. It seemed like ages ago, but that was in the past, and she must look forward.
“My feelings for you have only grown stronger, but it is important that you know I love you regardless of whether you are a maid, a dancer, or an earl’s daughter. Those designations are merely outer trappings. It’s who you are on the inside that I love desperately.”
“I love you, Harry. I always will.”
“There is a serious matter I must deal with.”
She bent her head. “You mean Buckley?”
“Yes, he will pay for what he has done to your grandmother and you.”
The backs of her hands prickled. “I fear you will be wounded.”
“No, I have no intention of letting that happen. He will pay the price for his crimes.”
“Please be careful. I couldn’t bear it if something happened to you.”
“I’ll be careful. I promise.” His blue eyes filled with a mischievous expression. “It’s deserted here except for the two of us.”
“Is it? I wonder why you mention it?”
“May I kiss you?”
“I thought you would never ask.”
He angled his head and kissed her softly at first, but he was so happy she’d taken him back, and he couldn’t help kissing her deeply. She touched her tongue to his and his blood ran hot. She slipped her hands underneath his waistcoat. “I love the scent of your linen shirt and most of all the hard muscles of your chest.”
“I love your bright red hair and your green eyes, especially when your temper is up.”
She frowned. “You like it when I’m cross?”
“Yes,” he said, pulling her onto his lap.
“According to my mother, I’ve always been a scamp.”
“Rogue is more like it,” she said.
He kissed her again and loved the way she clung to him as their tongues tangled. Eventually, he broke the kiss. “We had better stop before someone decides to check if I’m behaving.”
“Please don’t. I like it better when you misbehave,” she said.
“We had better leave. I’m getting a little…excited.”
She hugged him hard. “I love you, Harry.”
He captured her hand and set it against his chest. “My heart will always beat just for you.”
“Harry, I don’t think we should tell our children that we met on the street. It sounds bad.”
He laughed. “Lucy, we will tell them we met in the park if that makes you feel better.”
“Yes, I don’t want our children to know I threatened you with a knife.”
“They probably wouldn’t believe us,” Harry said. Then he knelt before her in the grass. “I love you with all of my heart. Will you marry me?”
“Yes, I will marry you, Harry.”
He rose and helped her to her feet. Then he gave her a long, hot, sweet kiss. “My darling Lucy, you have made me a very happy man.”
Chapter Seventeen
Five days later
The two Bow Street Runners disguised themselves as customers inside the apothecary shop.
The runners had stepped up their investigation upon getting a lead that Buckley and the apothecary were luring young women with promises of employment that turned out to be forced prostitution. It was a sickening business. For Harry, it was especially horrifying, as he realized Buckley might have had similar plans for Lucy. The thought only strengthened his resolve to see that the bastard paid the price for his crimes.
Now Colin and Bellingham waited in a back room, ready to jerk the door open as soon as Buckley entered the premises.
Three terrified young women huddled there, Buckley’s latest intended victims. The bastard had sworn to kill their family members if they didn’t do his bidding. But he would not succeed tonight.
In the main room, the apothecary was so frightened he’d pissed himself. Harry held a knife to him. “One word of warning to Buckley, and I’ll slit your throat. Do you understand?”
“Y-yes.”
Harry crouched behind the counter, ready to spring when Buckley made his nightly appearance for a bottle of laudanum. The bell over the door rang and the apothecary shouted, “Raid!”
The apothecary kicked the knife out of Harry’s hand. He planted his fist in the bastard’s cheek. The man collapsed to the floor. Harry tied him up like a hog and left him to squirm.
Colin and Bellingham ran inside the main room as Harry tackled Buckley. When he punched the bastard’s nose, Buckley screamed as blood gushed out. Harry trussed his hands and feet. “Guess where you’re going? How do you feel about swinging from the Tyburn Tree?”
Naturally the coward begged and screamed for mercy. Harry kicked him in the ass as the watch arrived.
Meanwhile, the Bow Street Runners were recording the girl’s addresses in order to return them to their families. The girls were scared, but fortunately they were rescued before the villains had had a chance to harm them.
They thought it all over when they heard feminine voices. A few minutes later, Harry discovered a trapdoor and pulled it open. The watch helped pull the women up out of the dark cellar. After a thorough investigation, the watch informed them that Buckley had snatched them off the street and dragged them to the apothecary’s shop, intending to force them into prostitution.
When it was over, the Bow Street Runners shook their hands. “Good work, gentlemen.”
Colin arched his brows. “We have a little experience with devils like Buckley.”
Harry grinned. “Damn, we might have thrown them in the Thames.”
“Where we first met,” Bellingham said. “I was minding my own business when I heard the splash.”
“We had to rescue your sorry ass, Harry,” Colin said, laughing.
“A lightskirt stole my money,” Harry said, “and the waterman threw me overboard.”
“He did not,” Colin said. “You tried to stand up, and you were so drunk you fell in.”
“The stench was disgusting,” Bellingham said. “You called me your savior. Lord what a caper.”
Harry grinned. “Good times, my friends.”
“So, Harry,” Bellingham said, “when is the wedding?”
“Soon,” he said. “Colin, will you be my best man?”
“I would be honored,” he said.
Two weeks later
Harry blindfolded Lucy and took her inside the town house where Lucy had convalesced while she was ill. Unbeknownst to Lucy, Lady Ravenshire had renovated it as a wedding gift.
“Are you ready?” Harry asked.
“Yes, please take the blindfold off of me.”
He untied it slowly. Lucy inhaled. “Oh my stars, it’s beautiful. Oh, I love the Palladian windows.” Harry escorted her to the dining room. “This one I’m unsure about—there are no walls.”
“Oh, how clever. She used columns instead of walls. I wish I had her eye for design.”
Harry scratched his head. “I’ll be honest; I’m glad you don’t. Colin told me Angeline has knocked out several walls in their home. I think it’s a little odd.”
Lucy laughed. “I suppose she literally hammers out her frustrations.”
“Knowing Colin? Probably so.”
“The bedrooms aren’t terribly different,” Harry said, “but I’m more than happy to take you on a tour of them.”
She shook her finger. “I know what is on your mind, but we agreed to wait until after the wedding.”
“Woe is me.”
He walked up behind her and wrapped his arms around her. “I can’t wait to take you to Havenwood.”
“I’m anxious to see where you spent your boyhood summers.”
“It’s a good place for children—and pigs,” Harry said.
She turned in his arms. “I love that you make me laugh, and I hope one day soon, we have a little boy who has eyes like you.”
“And maybe a little girl with eyes like you,” he said.
“I think Grandmama will like Havenwood. She prefers the country because it’s peaceful.”
“It’s peaceful until one of the pigs escapes.”
She laughed. “I cannot wait to see the infamous pigs.”
“I cannot wait until our wedding.”
“Are you sure? You have only ten days left as a bachelor.”
“You remember Bell’s stepson, Justin?”
“Yes, I remember.”
“He’s moving into my old rooms at the Albany. He wants to keep the lumpy sofa.”
“Oh, that is the most awful piece of furniture I’ve ever seen.”
He laughed. “Good for bachelors. He’s planning to get a dog, so there will be plenty of pet hair, and don’t mention this part to Lady Bellingham, but he’s looking forward to smoking cheroots out of her presence.”
“Phew,” she said, waving her hand. “I don’t blame her.
“I suppose Justin will inherit the naughty engravings as well,” she said.
“I can take a hint. Besides, why would I take an engraving over my beautiful bride?”
“Good answer,” she said, smiling. “Tomorrow, Lady Bellingham and I are being fitted for new gowns for Almack’s on Wednesday night. I know you can’t abide the place, but we’ll attend for your mother’s sake. Even Grandmama has decided to attend.”
“Hmmm.” He lifted her up to her toes and gave her a thoroughly wet, deep kiss. When his hands slid to her bottom, she sighed. He was hard against her stomach. “Ten days is a long time.”
“I know,” she said a little breathlessly. “Whose idea was that?”
“Yours,” he said, looking at her hopefully.
“Harry?”
“Oh, good, I’m glad you agree,” she said.
He sat on the sofa, and she knelt between his knees. She undid each button slowly, letting her fingers tease over the fabric.
“You’re killing me,” he said.
When his cock sprang out, she looked at him. “I don’t know what to do.”
“I do. Straddle me.”
She eased him inside of her slowly. “Lean forward.”
She gasped as he suckled her. “Oh,” she said.
He arched up to her and circled his finger around her sweet spot. She squeezed him and cried out. It felt so damned good. He shut his eyes as the erotic sensations overtook him. When it ended, he kissed her gently on the lips.
“I’m so glad I rescued you on the street that night,” she said.
“Wait, I’m Sir Galahad.”
“You have no steed.”
“I beg to differ.”
She burst out laughing. Then she laid her head against his shoulder. “You’ve made me so happy.”
“What do you want for a wedding present?” he asked. “Jewels?”
“Do you know what I really want?” she asked.
“Me?”
“How did you know?”
“Because I’m so irresistible.”
“And humble, too.”
The mantel clock chimed.
She gasped. “Oh no. We’ll be late to your mother’s dinner party. She might guess we were doing lustful things.”
“My mother wields a great deal of power in her drawing room, but even she can’t see us all the way from Grosvenor Square.”
Wednesday night at Almack’s
King Street was crowded with numerous shiny carriages in a very long queue.
A man stood on the pavement playing a fiddle while the lower orders danced in the street. Harry looked out the window. “Lucy, look at the dancers.”
“Oh, they look as if they’re having fun,” she said.
“Humph,” Mrs. Norcliffe said. “It’s quite undignified.”
“So are those gentlemen weaving up the steps,” Lucy said in obvious disapproval.
“My love, they have to get foxed in advance, because the patronesses forbid any alcohol inside the premises. Did you think they could exist solely on lemonade?” Harry said.
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