He held back the fact that the general had also said that Austin entered battle like a man who did not care whether he lived or died. That he had survived at all was a gesture of Divine Providence. “A man like that can protect you and keep you safe, Aubree.”
“Is that the basis for marriage then, Father? Protection?”
The duke shrugged. “It is as good a basis as any. You already possess a title and wealth. You need only someone to look after you. I think Heathmont has learned his lesson in that area.”
That stirred a spark of interest. “Learned his lesson? In what way?”
The duke smoothed over this faux pas. “It’s no matter now. My only concern is that he make you happy. I think he can. Once you have a brood of children around you instead of your abominable animals, you will understand what I mean.”
Aubree blushed and looked away. To have children by that man down there spoke of an intimacy she could not bring herself to consider. He was a stranger and would remain so, if she had anything to say about it.
Hesitating, the duke sought words of warning that would not frighten her. He could negotiate with men whose language he could not speak, but he could barely find the words with which to talk to his own daughter. “Aubree, one thing: if you are not happy, if the earl offers you harm in any way, you are to return to me at once. Do you understand me?”
Remembering the hints from gossips about the earl’s reputation, Aubree met her father’s gaze coldly. “You mean, if he beats me, I have your permission to leave him?”
Anger kindled at this response to his attempts to offer solace. “If he so much as lifts a hand to you, you have my permission to leave him. But if I discover you have given him some reason for his brutality, I will beat you myself. You are not too big yet for me to spank some sense into you.”
“Thank you, Father, for your loving concern. I look forward most eagerly to this marriage with a man whose only recommendations are that he fights viciously in battle and has a reputation for beating his wives.”
Stung more than he cared to admit by her hostility, the duke replied in fury, “Good. We’ve set the time for tomorrow at sunset. You will go to bed the Countess of Heathmont on the morrow.”
Swinging on his heel, he strode out, leaving Aubree to stare panic-stricken at the closed door to her gilded cage.
Chapter 8
Trapped in this cage of her own making, Aubree had not the nerve to venture out the next day. She had given her word to Heathmont that she would go through with this mock ceremony, but the horses down by the stables had almost become a fixation with her. She longed to ride out of here and never be seen again.
She flung a lace-bedecked pillow against the satin-covered wall, allowing rage to take the place of tears. Since she had turned seventeen last September, she had been carried about from one party to another, introduced to more people than she had ever cared to know, and gowned and coiffed like some fashion doll from France. She had not had one moment to herself, and now she felt like the entire time had been one headlong rush down a precipice, gathering momentum for the crash to come.
Tonight would be the culmination of that precipitous fall. She did not know the man she would stand beside and promise to love and obey. She had not been told by whom or why she had been abducted in the first place. For all she knew, Heathmont had planned it all. She wouldn’t put it past him. She felt quite certain he was capable of anything.
By the time the knock sounded on the door, she had almost persuaded herself that escape was essential. When she opened the door to find Aunt Clara on the other side, she threw herself into the older lady’s arms with hysterical sobs of misery and joy.
“Aunt Clara, you came! I thought nobody would come. I thought he’d marry me off and send me away and I’d never see anybody ever again,” she wailed, releasing just a few of the fears she had kept bottled up inside.
“My goodness, child! What fustian! Did you think I’d raised you all these years to see you wed and then miss the wedding? I cannot understand your father’s haste. It is a lot of nonsense, of course, but if this is what everyone wants, well, we must do it proper.”
Clara patted her niece’s hand and led her to the bed. “There, now, dry those eyes. We cannot have a bride with red eyes. It’s just nerves. I almost hid in the attic on my wedding day. Absolutely terrified, and my Charles the sweetest thing alive. I would have been here sooner, only Emery needed the carriage and Peggy wanted me to go with her and we’ve been at sixes and sevens trying to pack all your things.”
“Peggy? Is Peggy here?” Joy and hope blossomed.
“Yes, of course. When she heard you wanted her here, a team of four couldn’t have kept her away. She’s lying down right now, but she is as eager as I am to thank—”
Another knock on the door intruded and Aubree leapt from the bed, trusting this surprise would be as pleasant as the last. She had feared her father had been so ashamed of her he would not invite anyone, but Emery must have taken her side. Bless Emery. She must remember not to be so hard on him.
A parade of footmen and maids carried in box after box from every dressmaker in town, it seemed. The last to arrive carried a familiar basket with three tiny heads peering over the side, and Aubree shrieked with delight.
“My kittens! You brought my kittens! Oh, thank you, Aunt Clara. How can I thank you?” She hugged her aunt and danced about the room with glee, holding one tiny kitten after the other.
“Well, I’d thought, knowing how your father felt about animals, that perhaps it would have been better. . .”
But Aubree had already dived into the largest dressmaker’s box and paid no attention.
“How did you have a gown made so quickly, Aunt Clara? Look at these pearls—it must have taken days.” Aubree spread the ivory satin across the covers, admiring the intricate detail of the seed-pearl design that wound through the bodice of satin and lace. The delicacy of the lace spoke of French origins, and she wondered in amazement at this. French lace had become impossible to obtain. How ever. . . ?
“Well, you remember we had already given orders for the ivory satin. Madame simply replaced the primrose netting with the lace and made a veil to match.”
Another box lid opened to reveal acres of frothy lace, enough to carpet the room, certainly. “I did not inquire too carefully into the origins of this wedding gift,” Aunt Clara said in embarrassment.
“Oh, my!” Awestruck, Aubree lifted the delicate material from its bed of tissue. She had never owned anything so fine, and the elegance of it brought a lump to her throat. From this day forth, she would be entitled to wear silks and satins when she chose, instead of missish pastels and muslins. The lace was her first step into the world of womanhood.
Before she could cry again, a maid appeared in the doorway, waiting respectfully to be acknowledged before speaking. At Aubree’s questioning look, she bobbed a curtsy.
“There’s some come to see you, milady, but they have a package his lordship says is not to go above stairs. Would you be so kind as to come down, he says.”
Not knowing to which “lordship” the maid referred and not particularly caring, Aubree bounced happily into the corridor carrying two of the kittens, prepared for any number of surprises. Except the one meeting her at the foot of the stairs.
“Lexa!” she cried, racing down to fling her arms around the nervous girl waiting in the hallway, her pelisse still over her shoulders and a small case at her feet.
The kittens meowed pitifully beneath this embrace, until unseen hands claimed them.
A smile of relief flooded the older girl’s undistinguished features as she returned the hug. “Oh, Aubree, I scarcely recognized you, so fine you’ve become. When his lordship said you would like us here, I worried.”
Stepping back, but still clasping Lexa’s hands, Aubree grinned. “I never thought you would come all this way to see me, and on such short notice! Did your father object mightily?”
“He could not much object after the
invitation he received from his lordship.” A deep voice intruded, causing Aubree to spin about and give another cry of glee.
The stout young man looked mildly surprised as she flew into his arms, but overall, he seemed pleased when he returned her to her feet.
A shadow lounging behind the stairs observed this scene with a mixture of disgruntlement and pleasure as he set the kittens loose upon the floor. Whatever had once gone between the young squire and the lady had been set aside with childhood. The two stared at each other now with pleasure and embarrassment.
“Everett! I cannot believe it! I knew you promised to dance on my grave, but you said nothing of coming to my wedding.” Aubree giggled at the look of chagrin crossing the young man’s face.
“I’ve played the husband’s role enough to your nagging wife to enjoy watching some other poor gudgeon walk you down the aisle. I’ll not ever forgive you that nettle tea you served me last time.”
Both girls went into gales of laughter at the memory returned by the look of discomfort on Everett’s round face. The shadow in the corner fidgeted restlessly over these childhood reminiscences. He nudged away the purring kittens. He had no desire to intrude, but he could not escape without being seen. Besides, he wanted to see Aubree’s face when she spied the last of her visitors.
“Did Everett escort you all this way, then? How very gallant!” Aubree exclaimed with a secret smile to Lexa. The minister’s daughter had harbored a secret tendre for the squire’s son for years. Such an occasion as this seemed auspicious.
“His lordship’s groom accompanied us to London. Then we stopped to pick up your maid. She has been highly insulted that you have been out adventuring without her skills. If Lady Clara had not insisted you could not do without Matilda to dress your hair for the wedding, you might well have been without any maid at all.”
“Umph,” Everett grunted at this excessiveness. “Besides, we have had a most effective chaperon in that useless spaniel of yours. She has sat in Lexa’s lap all the way here.”
“Lady?” Aubree squealed. “You have brought Lady? Where? Where is she? I haven’t seen her in forever and ever.”
A staccato barking outside sent Aubree flying to the door, followed by two kittens consumed with curiosity. At the same time the door flew open, the eager spaniel broke loose of her restraint and bounded happily up the stairs.
Nearly bowled over by the dog’s ecstatic leap, Aubree dropped to the floor to gather her pet in her arms. The smile of joy upon her face satisfied the man lingering in the shadows, and while she was thus occupied, he took the opportunity to slip out the back way. He did not reckon on the pursuit of the kittens who had befriended him.
Spying the kittens scurrying through the hall, Lady barked frantically and leapt from Aubree’s arms. He dashed happily down the marble floor in hot pursuit. Just like old times.
Aubree screamed a warning, and Everett and Lexa, accustomed to the chaos, set chase, but too late for the man walking unsuspectingly away. Both kittens made flying leaps upon his back, and the spaniel did her best to follow. His game leg crumpled under the weight of this final blow, and the earl sprawled across the polished floor.
Emery raced down the stairs and whooped with glee at his friend’s undignified pratfall. Nervously, Lexa and Everett hurried to help, but it was Aubree who lifted the yelping spaniel from Heathmont’s back, handing the animal to Everett. The kittens had already scattered for parts unknown as she assisted the earl to his feet.
Garbed only in linen shirt and buckskins now coated with dust, Heathmont presented far from a formidable figure as he bowed stiffly to the newcomers. Mischief leapt to Aubree’s eyes as she proceeded with the introductions. “I’m so sorry, Austin. We did not know you were about. I’d like you to meet Lexa Carlisle and Everett Smith, from Hampshire. They’re my oldest and dearest friends.” Blithely ignoring Austin’s title and his relation to herself, Aubree hurried on. “I trust you are not hurt. Poor Lady has been confined too long and is overeager for a romp, I fear.”
“Lady isn’t the only one, I surmise,” the earl commented dryly. He bowed to the country youngsters. “Austin Atwood, at your service. Perhaps, Mr. Smith, we might remove this mangy mongrel to more congenial quarters and find a sip of something to quench our thirst while the ladies address more important matters.” Lifting one eyebrow as he regarded Aubree, he played along with her charade. “By your leave, milady?”
Both Lexa and Everett relaxed at this end to the havoc Aubree’s pets had created. Not many of the duke’s household were so understanding, and they warmed to him instantly.
“I say, that’s a capital idea,” the squire declared. Then more respectfully, he turned to Emery. “Beresford, will you be joining us?”
Shooting his mischievous cousin a questioning glance, Emery shrugged his shoulders and joined the commoners. “Why not?” he declared. Slapping the backs of the two larger men, he led them away.
Lexa watched them go, then turned her beatific gaze upon Aubree. “This is beyond all dreams, Aubree. You must tell me all about it. I never thought I’d be here, but to be here for your wedding, and with Everett. . .”
Laughing, Aubree led her toward the stairs. “I don’t know how Emery did it, but I shall be forever grateful.”
“Emery?” She considered this briefly. “Yes, of course, without the Ashbrook crest on the carriage, it is doubtful if my father would ever have let me go.” Her delicate features grew thoughtful. “But there was not time to have a new gown made. I fear I shall shame you in front of your Lord Heathmont. An earl! I cannot imagine you married to an earl. I know you are the daughter of a duke, but you never seemed like it. And now you will be marrying some grand noble who will carry you off to his glittering castle. It is just like a romance from the magazines.”
Aubree’s giggles had multiplied by the time they reached her chambers. Austin had taken his fall remarkably well, she admired him for it, but he should never have been sneaking about the stairs, spying on her and her friends. Whatever could he have been doing? She would take him to task for it soon enough, but for now, she hoped he enjoyed Everett’s company. She stifled another giggle.
Peggy awaited them nervously, but at Aubree’s entrance, she relaxed and threw her arms around her husband’s cousin. “Oh, Aubree, I am so happy for you. After everything Emery has told me, I’ve been so worried.”
Wearing a full gown that hid any sign of her pregnancy, the matron of honor stepped back to better study her friend and relative. Of the same height as Aubree, Peggy Beresford had always been plumper, and she sighed wistfully as she observed the bride’s slim waist.
“Oh, to be so young again.” Then hastily shutting the door, she chased Lexa and Aubree into the room exclaiming, “Why are you dawdling about? We have work to do.”
Matilda appeared next, scolding like a magpie as she directed the laying out of gowns and petticoats and supervised the dressing and tucking and pinning. Aubree insisted that Lexa be garbed in one of her gowns as a member of the wedding party since Peggy refused the honor of standing up with her, and maids were hastily sent hither and thither to gather the necessities for the alteration.
The afternoon flew by before Aubree knew it, leaving her no time to fear the night to come. The arrival of what appeared to be hundreds of elegant carriages below made her increasingly nervous, but she channeled her energies into seeing Lexa transformed into a fashionable lady. If Everett’s eyes didn’t open this day, they never would.
Aunt Clara and Peggy took turns spying on the arrival of the guests, declaring the entire haut ton had most certainly taken a day’s diversion from the Season’s activities to see Aubree wed. By the time the final finishing touch had been found to adorn Lexa’s slender throat and Aubree’s curls had been arranged neatly beneath her veil for the thousandth time, the guests had already been ushered into the chapel or reception hall, depending on the level of their importance.
Events left Aubree with no time to contemplate this step she took. P
erhaps this had been her father’s intention, but as she gazed at the image in ivory in her mirror, Aubree wished there had at least been time for romantic courtship. No flowers, no rings, no whispered words of love, she’d scarcely even danced with her intended. And now they were to be wed.
Holding back her tears, she straightened her shoulders and turned for a final inspection from her eager assistants.
“Oh, my, Aubree, your earl will be so proud of you when he sees you walk down that aisle,” Lexa whispered, awestruck by the vision of Aubree’s golden hair encircled in a halo of flowing ivory lace. “I wish I had the nerve to thank him in person for arranging for me to be here. He must be a wonderful gentleman,” she sighed dreamily.
Aubree paid little heed to Lexa’s ecstatic gratitude, but turned at the sound of Peggy’s prosaic comments. “Well, I wouldn’t make him out to be a Corinthian, but Heathmont does have his finer moments. If he hadn’t sent that letter to Lady Clara asking for her aid in bringing me here, Emery might never have let me come. I shall certainly give him a hug for that, and one for you, too, Lexa.”
Aubree’s eyes widened. “Heath! Heath brought you both here?”
Before she could question further, Aunt Clara began shooing everyone from the room. “It’s almost time to take your places. They will think we have all run away if some of us don’t put in an appearance.”
Espying the Duke of Ashbrook approaching his daughter’s chambers, Clara turned for one last word with her niece. “Your Lord Heathmont might not be a gentleman in every sense of the word, my love, but he is very much a man. It is not young Everett or your Lord Geoffrey waiting down there for you, but a man who is trying to please the woman who will be his wife. Behave like that woman, Aubree, and he will have no reason to regret his decision.”
She entered the hall, exchanged a few words with the duke, and then followed the others, leaving Aubree to face her father alone.
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