“Thank you, Esther,” Mary replied. “That means a lot to me.”
Esther stood back while Ruth embraced Mary.
“My Lady,” she heard a man say from behind her. Lord Harry.
Esther turned quickly and came face to face with Edward’s younger brother.
“Oh, you startled me, My Lord,” said Esther, feigning surprise.
“I apologize,” responded Lord Harry. “I wanted to say hello and welcome you to the estate.”
“I appreciate that,” replied Esther, and then there was an uncomfortable silence until Ruth turned towards them.
“It is wonderful to see you again, My Lord,” Ruth said to Lord Harry.
He nodded and said, “The same to you.” It was quite clear to Esther, based on Lord Harry’s response, that he was not very interested in talking to Ruth.
Edward then stepped over to them and said “Bolt, our butler, will show you to your rooms. He has just taken your parents to their quarters, and he should be right back.”
“That is wonderful,” said Esther. “I am looking forward to a lovely evening, and I cannot wait to meet your family.”
“Well,” replied Edward, “My cousin is here, the Earl of Wiltshire, but that’s about it. We have some friends coming tomorrow for the wedding breakfast, though.”
“Then I look forward to meeting your cousin,” Esther responded with a smile.
“He is a fine chap,” said Edward. “I’m sure he will love to meet the beautiful Lady Esther, too.”
Lord Harry chortled behind her, Esther blushed, and another man came out the door. The butler.
“May I take you to your sleeping quarters?” the man whom Esther assumed was Bolt asked.
“Yes, please,” said Esther, happy to get away from Lord Harry for a bit. She turned to Mary and said, “We will see you before dinner.”
“I am looking forward to it, Esther,” Mary replied, “And I do think you will enjoy spending time with Edward’s cousin, Lord Wiltshire.”
Esther smiled and followed Bolt into the grand foyer of the house to get ready for dinner.
Chapter 4
Allan looked at his reflection in the mirror. His ginger hair and green eyes seemed to shimmer in the light of the lamp. Harley was brushing his dinner jacket, making sure that it was perfect before he stepped out and made his way to the drawing room. He considered himself to have a handsome face, but underneath his jacket, waistcoat, and shirt, he knew the truth; his body was battered and scarred.
“You are finished, My Lord,” Harley said, taking a step back and looking at his handy work.
Allan turned to Harley and said, “Thank you, Harley, as always.” He took one more glance in the mirror and turned towards the door. When he was fully dressed, he certainly felt more confident, and even though his scars were hidden and no one else could see them, they were still in the back of his mind and made him feel self-conscious.
He turned the handle and went out into the hallway, and based on his childhood memories, he turned and walked down the hall to the stairs and began descending them. For a brief moment, the entire area was empty, though he could hear the din of the staff getting the dining room set for dinner. As he hit the last stair, a footman walked into the hall.
“May I show you to the drawing room, My Lord?” he asked.
“Yes, please,” Allan responded.
“Just this way,” the footman said, as he began to walk in the opposite direction. Allan followed, once again taking in the stunning artwork that hung from the walls in this grand foyer area.
The footman came to the door of the drawing room, and whispered to the butler. He looked at Allan, then opened the door to the drawing room. He heard him say, “The Earl of Wiltshire,” and held the door open for Allan to walk in.
Allan took a step into the room and was met with smiles from the guests who were already there. He saw both of his cousins, Edward and Harry, and he saw an older couple he was not familiar with. Lady Mary was also present, and she was speaking with a younger lady who looked similar to Lady Mary, but shorter, and with blonde hair.
Edward came towards him and said, “I’m so glad you made it. Please, help yourself to some wine.”
Almost on cue, a footman was there with a tray filled with glasses of red liquid. Allan chose one of them, said “Thank you,” and took a sip. It was dry and bitter, but delicious.
“How have you been getting on?” Edward asked.
“I have been well,” replied Allan, taking another sip of his wine. He always felt uncomfortable when people asked how he was, even family. He thought that they were trying to see how he was feeling in his head.
Edward smiled at him. “I’m very happy to hear that.”
Allan didn’t know if his cousin believed him, or not. What he did know is that he wanted to change the conversation.
“How many will be at the wedding breakfast?” he asked Edward.
“I expect around twenty people. Large enough to have a lively celebration, but small enough so that Mary and I can spend time seeing everyone,” replied Edward.
“That is a perfect number,” Allan responded. He could see Harry out of the corner of his eye speaking to the older couple. He looked happy.
“Who is the couple speaking with Harry?” Allan asked quietly, as to not draw attention to the fact that he was looking at them.
“Oh! Those are Mary’s parents,” said Edward. “I will introduce you. Follow me.”
Edward motioned for Allan to follow him, and Allan took another sip of wine and fell into step right behind his cousin. The pair approached the older couple and Harry, and the three turned to smile at them.
“Duke,” Edward said, speaking to his future father-in-law, “I would like you to meet my cousin, the Earl of Wiltshire.” He then turned to Allan, “Cousin, please meet Mary’s parents, the Duke and Duchess of Aishling.”
The Duke of Aishling nodded at him and said, “Any family of Edward, here, is our family, too.” The Duke was broad and had bright white hair, which Allan assumed at one point had been blond like his youngest daughter. His blue eyes were deeply set into his head, which made them look small, and his face was aged.
Allan smiled at him, and the Duchess of Aishling said, “Please excuse me. I must go speak with my daughters.” He watched as she walked over to Mary and the younger lady. He could see where Mary got her hair color from, as her mother had the same chocolate tone, though it was greying. Her mother was also shorter than her daughter, almost the same height as the youngest.
Allan brought his attention back to Edward, Harry, and the Duke. “Allan is our only family, in fact,” said Harry. “We don’t see him nearly often enough.”
“Yes,” said Allan with a smile, “I do need to make more of an effort to see both of you.”
Edward turned to address the Duke once again. “Allan fought at the Battle of Waterloo. He is certainly the most heroic member of our family and has brought valor to our family name.”
Allan could feel his face redden. He didn’t like when people, even his family, brought attention to the fact that he was known as a war hero. He also noticed that the Duke’s face was filled with awe.
“Well, well,” the Duke of Aishling said, “That is a very impressive resume. You must be proud of the service you gave to our great country.”
“Thank you,” said Allan, taking a large sip of the remaining wine in his glass. “I always thought of my service as my duty, and I never did it for valor.”
“I certainly understand,” said the Duke. “You should still be proud. If my Mary wasn’t going to marry Edward, I would have been very happy to marry her to a man in the British Army.”
“I, for one, am happy that she has chosen me,” interjected Edward with a chuckle. Allan laughed, too, and so did the Duke. Harry, however, had a sullen look on his face. What is going on with him?
Allan glanced at the clock and there was still about thirty minutes before dinner was set to begin, so when the footman b
rought another tray of wine around, he helped himself and took another long sip.
“I must say, that I never expected Mary to find such a perfect match for her, Edward, and I say that with sincerity,” said the Duke. “I love all three of my girls very much, and it is my hope that the other two find matches who are just as suitable.”
Allan turned around and noted that there were still only two young ladies talking to the Duchess. “Your Grace, did you say you had three daughters?” he asked the Duke, in an attempt to keep the conversation away from the war.
“Oh yes,” said the Duke with pride in his voice. “Mary is actually my middle daughter. I also have Ruth, there speaking with my wife and Mary. She is my youngest.” He motioned to the young lady that Allan noticed when he walked in the drawing room.
“She is lovely, your Grace,” said Allan.
“Yes, she is,” responded the Duke. “All of my girls are very beautiful,” he said with a smile. “But I suppose all fathers believe that.”
“Is your oldest daughter here?” asked Allan, still trying to keep the conversation safely on family life.
“Oh yes,” said the Duke. “I really don’t know where she is, though. You know how ladies are, right gentlemen?” He laughed heartedly.
“Lady Esther is very beautiful,” said Harry out of nowhere. “She is not only beautiful, but also charitable and kind.”
Allan was a bit surprised at this interjection but allowed his cousin to continue speaking without interruption.
“I am greatly looking forward to speaking to her tonight,” Harry continued. “Is she still doing her charity work?” he asked, directed towards the Duke.
“Oh yes,” replied the Duke. “Lady Esther is very focused on her work, and though I wish she would find a husband, I know this is where her heart lies. I will give her a little more time before I insist.” He laughed again, and Allan could smell the whiskey coming off of him.
“I think if a lady wants to focus on charity, she should,” said Harry, again, it seemed, completely out of nowhere, to Allan.
“I don’t completely agree with you, there,” said the Duke to Harry. “Her duty is to find someone to marry, and then, if her husband allows it, she can continue her charity work.”
“If she were my wife, I would certainly allow it,” responded Harry.
Allan and Edward looked at each other with raised eyebrows. Allan could tell that his cousin must be smitten with the oldest daughter of the Duke. Now, Allan was certainly curious to meet this daughter.
Almost as if on cue, the door opened and Bolt announced, “Lady Esther Nott.”
Allan lost his breath as one of the most gorgeous creatures he had ever seen walked through the door. She had hair the color of the most delicious chocolate, and exquisite eyes the color of amber. Her body was full-figured, yet she was certainly not overweight. Her face was beautiful, too, from her high cheekbones to her bright red lips.
Allan felt frozen in place when he felt a gentle shove on his right side. He turned just in time to see his cousin, Harry, pushing him aside, and then walking quickly to greet Lady Esther.
He watched as the pair exchanged greetings, and then he saw Lady Esther smile at Harry politely. Based on her body language, Allan could tell that she didn’t feel the same way about his cousin as he felt about her.
Allan was fixated on her body for a moment. Her backside was so perfectly cradled in the gown she was wearing that it made his throat go dry. Her breasts were large and shapely, too, and with every breath, he could see them moving up and down. He felt very attracted to her, and even felt a slight stirring in his trousers.
His view was suddenly blocked by the Duke, who had gone to greet his daughter. Allan took a deep breath, and a long sip of wine. Edward, who was standing near him, caught his eye and smiled at him. Does he know I just had those thoughts?
Edward began to walk over to him, and Allan felt a sense of anxiety wondering what his cousin was going to say.
“She’s a beauty, isn’t she?” Edward said quietly to Allan with a smile.
Allan chuckled. “Yes, all three of them are beautiful ladies.” He continued to watch Lady Esther, who came in and out of his sight thanks to the Duke and Harry blocking his view.
“Harry certainly agrees with you,” said Edward. “At least in the case of Lady Esther.”
“Yes,” said Allan. “He seems to be smitten.”
Edward chuckled again. “My brother is going to be sorely disappointed, I’m afraid. My Mary says that Lady Esther isn’t interested.”
“Oh, that’s too bad,” said Allan.
“Not for the man she eventually chooses,” said Edward with a wink.
Allan once again felt his face burn. “What are you implying, Cousin?”
“Nothing,” said Edward, grinning widely. “But perhaps the next wedding will be your own?”
Now it was Allan’s turn to laugh. “Don’t start putting those thoughts into your head, now.”
“And why not?” asked Edward. “I think the two of you would be well suited, and her father has always dreamed that one of his daughters would be matched with a man from the British Army.”
“Firstly,” said Allan, “I have never met her.”
“You can meet her right now,” Edward quickly responded.
Allan shook his head. “I would love to meet her, of course, but you must know that I may have eyes on someone else.”
“Oh?” asked Edward with surprise in his voice. “Who?”
“Well, I have been thinking of looking up the woman who nursed me back to health after my injury, Miss Bridget Crampton,” said Allan.
“You can’t be serious,” Edward responded.
“Serious about what?” Suddenly, Harry was standing next to Allan. “Well?” he said.
Edward looked from his cousin to his brother. “Allan, here, says that he has eyes for Miss Bridget Crampton, the woman who nursed him back to health,” he said.
“A nurse?” said Harry with shock in his voice.
“Not that type of nurse. She is the daughter of the surgeon who saved my life,” said Allan with conviction. “She is a lovely woman, actually.”
“I’m sure she is,” said Edward, “But you are an Earl, not a commoner.”
“Commoners and Earls have certainly married in the past and will certainly marry in the future,” Allan responded.
“Yes, of course,” said Edward, “But you have to realize that it’s not traditional.”
“Of course I do,” said Allan. “Listen, you are aware of what happened to me. Oliver got me off of the battlefield, and Bridget nursed me back to health. I wouldn’t be here if it wasn’t for both of them. All I am saying is I have been thinking of her and would like to reunite at some point.”
“I think your injuries might have gone to your head,” said Harry.
Allan turned quickly towards his cousin. Harry never had much of a sense of how to be tactful, and it seemed as if some things never changed.
“I’m sorry,” said Harry. “I shouldn’t have said that, Cousin.”
Allan took a breath and finished the wine that was left in his glass. “No, you shouldn’t have,” he said. “But it’s all right. I know emotions are high right now.”
Harry nodded, and Allan saw Edward shoot a look at his younger brother.
At that moment, Bolt walked into the room. “Dinner is served.”
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Thank you very much!
Also by Olivia Bennet
Thank you for reading The Marquess in Her Bed!
I hope you enjoyed it! If you did, may I ask you to please write a review HERE? It would mean very much to me. Reviews are very important and allow me to keep writing the books that you love to read!
Some other stories of mine:
Lusting for the Broken Earl
An Untamed Governess for the Rogue
A Sinful Duke she can’t Refuse
A Ravishing Night with the Mysterious Earl
Secret Confessions of the Enticing Duchess
Wicked Temptations for the Seduced Duchess
* * *
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Thank you for allowing me to keep doing what I love!
Olivia Bennet
About the Author
Having obtained a degree in Journalism, but with an affinity for literature and creative writing, Olivia Bennet knew from a young age that her future lay in the romantic ideals of the past. With a fascination for the Regency era and a good romance, she started her career as a historical romance author the old-fashioned way: with pen and paper.
Born in rural Devon, Olivia draws inspiration from the vast farmlands of the British countryside and the people living in the surrounding villages. An avid artist, she takes her sketchbook everywhere with her and captures the beauty of nature, which she then incorporates into her books.
Allow your conscious to be carried away on a wind made of letters and words, of love, mystery and the magic of the Regency era. Start your journey and allow Olivia’s pen to guide you!
The Marquess In Her Bed (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 30