Isabella's Secret Summer

by Tabetha Waite

  Pendleton opened the door and then stepped to the side as Ridge walked through and shut the heavy oak door behind him. He inclined his head politely at the man who sat behind a massive mahogany desk. “Lord Ashfield.”

  The older man set down his pen and closed the ledger that was before him, and then clasped his hands on top. “Mr. Claymoore. We meet again.” He waved a hand at the chair before him. “Have a seat.” Ridge walked forward and sat. “Would you care for a drink?”

  “No, thank you.”

  “Very well.” Isabella’s father inhaled a deep breath then expelled the sigh. “Claudia tells me that you mean to marry my daughter and that you already have a special license in your possession. Is this true?”

  “Yes.”

  The marquess tapped his thumbs together and studied him carefully. “Do you love her?”

  “Yes.”

  “I see.” Lord Ashfield frowned. “You’ve put me in a rather… difficult position. While I appreciate the services you’ve rendered regarding Isabella, keeping her safe from harm when that miscreant Wistenberry would have made sure she was lost to me for good, I find myself torn between duty and honor.”

  Ridge withdrew a packet from his jacket and tossed it onto the marquess’ desk. “Perhaps that will help.” The other man looked inside and then glanced at Ridge in surprise. Before he had a chance to speak, Ridge explained. “That’s Isabella’s dowry, down to the last pound.”

  “You’re attempting to… buy her from me?” her father asked incredulously.

  “No. Merely to let you know that I don’t have need of your money. I will take care of Isabella on my own.”

  “I see.” The marquess seemed placated by this. “And do you have gainful employment?”

  Ridge couldn’t help but shift in his seat with the slightest bit of discomfort. “Not at the moment since I intend to resign my position from the Crown, but rest assured I will work hard and your daughter will want for nothing.”

  Again, the marquess studied him. “You seem rather determined to gain my acceptance of this union.”

  Ridge chose his words with caution. “I don’t require it, my lord, but I would like to ensure Isabella is not at odds with her family.”

  “That’s commendable of you, Mr. Claymoore, as is your tenacity to marry Isabella.” He rose to his feet, prompting Ridge to do the same.

  When the marquess held out his hand, Ridge accepted, finding that he was able to draw his first full breath.

  “You have come here seeking my blessing and you have it, Mr. Claymoore. However, I fear Isabella’s mother will be a bit harder to convince.”

  “Thank you, Lord Ashfield. You won’t regret it, that I vow on my life.”

  He handed the money back to Ridge. “Consider this a wedding gift. And, if you are interested, I might have a business venture for you. I recently lost my foreman, and I’m in need of someone to run my shipbuilding company in London.” He smiled. “Are you any good with numbers, Mr. Claymoore?”

  ***

  Isabella was relieved when Ridge relayed everything her father had said on the way back to London the following day. While her mother hadn’t been quite as easy to win over as her father had been, Isabella had faith that she would eventually relent in time.

  Her expression had already softened when their small, intimate wedding ceremony had taken place that morning at the Ashfield chapel by the local vicar. He kept muttering that it was quite untoward to exchange vows with such short notice, but he’d signed his name on the document and went about his way.

  Now, as Isabella snuggled next to her husband and stared at the blank area on her left hand, having discarded Simon’s the moment she realized their marriage had been a sham, and kept imagining the sort of ring she might procure once they returned to the city. “I think I shall choose a simple gold band.”

  Ridge had frowned down at her. “I’m not sure that I entirely agree. I may want an expensive ruby or emerald to adorn your hand.”

  She sat up and kissed him. “I love you, Ridge Claymoore, and no amount of jewels will change how I feel about you.”

  He brushed a stray, copper curl away from her face. “And I love you, Lady Isabella Claymoore. I think you had my heart from the moment I saw you standing at the edge of the bastion at Walmer.”

  Her lips curved upward. “And I knew the instant I found out you were scared of heights.”

  “Not scared,” he corrected. “Merely not fond of them.” He grinned and pulled her closer. “I wonder if Mr. and Mrs. Hopper would like a new position. Perhaps a butler and cook?”

  Isabella gasped. “I think that’s a grand idea!” She paused and couldn’t help but ask, hoping it didn’t mar their lovely day. “Did Millicent tell you what became of Kitty?”

  Ridge’s expression turned stoic. “You know Millicent was set on making her leave after her betrayal with Simon, but I spoke with her and she managed to catch Kitty before she left. My… mother helped to find her a position as a tavern maid.” His expression softened. “But I don’t want to talk about her any longer. I want to focus on us. We’ll have to find a proper place to live, but until then, your father granted us the use of his townhouse.”

  She wound her arms around his neck. “Wherever it is will be perfect as long as we’re together.”

  Ridge’s eyes roamed over her face, and her breath caught at the adoration she saw there. “I couldn’t agree more.”

  And then he kissed her with a promise of more good things to come.

  Epilogue

  Three weeks later…

  Travell Abernathy, Viscount Curdiff, was sitting in his study when there was a brisk knock at the door. “Enter.”

  The butler walked in and approached his desk with a missive on a silver salver. “This just arrived from the estate manager at Rosewood. The messenger said it was urgent.”

  With a slight frown, for it wasn’t often that Travell received any sort of correspondence other than the usual update, he tore open the letter. As he read the words, his hand started to shake and he pushed to his feet. “Gather my things. I need to leave London at once.”

  The servant bowed. “Of course, my lord.”

  Travell shoved a hand through his hair and considered sending word to his mother, but she was in the country at a house party at the moment, chaperoning one of his sister’s friends, Lady Rowena Freeham. If she left suddenly, it would cause a number of eyebrows to raise, including that of their host, Sir Pierce Rutherford, an agent who had worked for the Crown previously to gather sensitive information from France and who was recently hailed as a hero and given a baronetcy by the Regent.

  But even if his mother was in residence, he wasn’t sure he wanted to burden her with this news just yet. He wasn’t exactly convinced he might deal with this latest development himself. He just prayed that Triana and Gabriel remained in Italy on their honeymoon until he found a way to tell his sister what had happened.

  Then again, it wasn’t every day that one’s father returned from the dead.

  Author’s Note

  Ether was invented as far back as 1275 and became used as a medical treatment in 1794, but was replaced by chloroform for antiseptic after the 1840’s. However, much like laudanum, ether could be a habit forming, recreational drug, and many people also drank ether as an alternative to alcohol. Yikes!

  Deal Castle, Walmer Castle, and Sandown Castle are all real places in Kent. It was true that they were built during the Tudor era as a means of fortification on the coast against the French and the Holy Roman Empire, and that Walmer Castle was a seaside retreat for Robert Jenkinson and later, the Duke of Wellington. While Sandown was sadly torn down during the Victorian Era because of its deteriorating conditions, the other two are still standing and are now tourist attractions.

  Many may not have heard the story of Boudica, the warrior queen, who led the Celts in Britain in a revolt against the Romans. These days, the lady and her daughters have been reduced to nothing more than folklore, but there
was no denying she made a lasting impression on English history.

  Patience, like the US version of Solitaire wasn’t popular in England until the Victorian era. It is attributed to Lady Adelaide Cadogan, who wrote a novel about the card game in 1870 called, Illustrated Games of Patience, although the game was around as early as 1765. Since it suited my story, I decided to use it.

  I also wanted to give a shout to author, Victoria Kincaid, and her post on Austen authors, who inspired me with her research about the ‘Smuggler’s City.’ Granted, I likely embellished a few things, but it was how I pictured it, all in the name of storytelling.

  I’d like to thank you for purchasing this book. I know you could have chosen any number of stories to read, but you picked this one and for that I am humbled and grateful! I hope that the romance captured your heart and added a smile to your day. If so, it would be awesome if you could share this book with your friends and family and post a review! Your feedback and support will help improve my writing and help me to continue growing as an author. You can find all my links on my website - authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance

  Cheers! xo

  About the Author

  Tabetha Waite began her writing journey at a young age. At nine years old, she was crafting stories of all kinds on an old Underwood typewriter. She started reading romance in high school and immediately fell in love with the genre. She gained her first publishing contract with Etopia Press and released her debut novel in July of 2016 - “Why the Earl is After the Girl,” the first book in her Ways of Love Series. Since then, she has become a hybrid author, transitioning into indie publishing. She has won several awards for her books.

  She is a small town, Missouri girl who continues to make her home in the Midwest with her husband and two wonderful daughters. When she’s not writing novels filled with adventure and heart, she is either reading, or searching the local antique mall or flea market for the latest interesting find. You can find her on most any social media site, and she encourages fans of her work to join her mailing list for updates.

  www.authortabethawaite.wix.com/romance