by Jane Charles
“She’s having the baby,” Meredith called to his back.
Colin relinquished her sister to Julian as Dr. Campion bolted outside with his black doctor’s case. Felicity had one just like it that had belonged to their father.
“Take me to my chambers. We’ll need boiling water to sterilize your instruments.” Meredith’s sister continued to bark directions at the poor man all the way inside, but to be fair, Felicity had likely delivered more babies than the good doctor. She would definitely hold an opinion on the correct way to go about it.
When the trio disappeared inside, Meredith grabbed her head with both hands and exhaled loudly. Her legs were quivering. “I cannot believe we made it. I need to sit.”
Colin placed his hand on the small of her back and guided her toward a stone bench nestled in a bed of thyme. She collapsed on the hard surface, spent after such a trying afternoon. The earl left his hand on her back, and she didn’t possess the wherewithal to tell him to remove it. The warmth of his hand seeped through her gown, comfortable and oddly familiar.
“You left before I returned with your books,” he said.
She fixed her gaze on the flowers in front of her and nodded, although a response wasn’t needed.
“Do you remember that I wanted to speak with you—about what happened between us?” His hand made a slow pass up her back then back down to her hip. He continued to caress her, lulling her with the gentleness of his touch.
“We both know what happened between us,” she said, “and now I know why. The countess showed me the letter and explained everything. You wanted to drive me away to fulfill your bargain with the duke.”
“Audrey knows very little,” he said with a slight edge to his voice. “You should never listen to her again. If you wish to know something, you should come to me. I promise to be honest with you always.”
“You speak as if we have a future together.”
He touched his fingertips to Meredith’s chin and urged her to look at him. His steel blue eyes were dark like the sky. The intensity behind them crackled like the lightning in the distance. “I kissed you because I want a future with you. Not because of a bargain that I made before I met you. I love you, Meredith.”
Her breath caught, and she couldn’t speak.
“I love you,” he repeated and rested his forehead against hers. There was something very intimate and affectionate in his action, and Meredith’s heart began to open once more. “I cannot live another day without knowing you will be part of my life forever. I need you, Meri. I desire you like no other.”
When he lowered to one knee beside the bench and gathered her hands in his, she thought she might be dreaming. His gaze was as clear as his voice. “Will you become my wife?”
Meredith would like to say she made him squirm a moment, to agonize over her answer, but she didn’t. Unlike Lady Blackwood, she wasn’t playing games. But she would be grateful for her prize—the love of her handsome Lord Blackwood.
She captured his face between her palms and murmured, “Yes, my love. I will be your wife, and yes to forever.”
Then she pressed her lips against his to seal the promise of a long and happy future together.
Epilogue
Meredith squeezed her husband’s hand as Rebecca, Emily, Iris, Caroline, and Nora took their places on the small dais Colin had built for their first vocal performance. Her students had worked very hard in preparation for their autumn musicale, and she was anxious for hers and Colin’s families to hear their sweet voices.
She tossed a quick smile over her shoulder at her sister sitting in the row behind her. Felicity winked as she cradled her beautiful new daughter in her arms. The proud papa Julian sat beside her, bouncing their eldest son Reid on his knee. Meredith reached to tickle her nephew and was rewarded with a heart-stopping giggle. Much to her pleasure, her sister and brother-in-law had decided to stay on at Danby Castle until spring, and she couldn’t help wondering if that had been part of the Duke of Danby’s plan all along.
As for the duke, he had arrived for the musicale earlier than everyone else, earning himself a front row seat beside Meredith.
“I hope they sound better than my daughters did at that age,” he whispered. She wrinkled her nose at him, and he grinned.
After she and Colin had announced their intentions to marry and gained Mama’s permission, the duke had humbly requested an audience with her. Meredith had never seen him grovel. In fact, she was shocked to learn he was even familiar with the word. Since his apology had seemed mostly sincere—there was the part where he’d crowed about being right about her and Colin being perfectly matched match—she had offered her forgiveness without reservation.
Besides, the duke had been right about Colin, and she was secretly grateful for his interference, although she would never admit it. Danby was too boastful as it was. It had been a successful matchmaking Season in London, and the duke took full responsibility for the latest group of Danby grandchildren finding their ways to the altar. He didn’t need further encouragement.
“Here comes the accompanist,” her mother said from her seat directly behind Meredith as Mrs. Browning, the girls’ nanny, entered the drawing room with a sheet of music. Meredith had been thrilled to learn Mrs. Browning knew how to play the instrument, so Meredith could enjoy the show like the rest of the family.
“I observed the girls practicing yesterday,” Mama said. “They sound like little angels.”
Colin slid his knuckle along the side of Meredith’s thigh and shared a private smile with her. Just that morning, he’d told her how much her mother’s acceptance of his nieces meant to him.
“They are singing Malcolm’s song,” Colin said to James, who’d claimed the chair on his other side.
The girls’ father had composed the piece for their mother when they were courting. It was a beautiful, heartfelt song, but simple enough for the girls to perform. With Audrey’s permission, Meredith had taught them the words and invited their mother to share the story of their parents’ courtship. Regretfully, Audrey had declined, but Meredith was sympathetic. Her sister-in-law was not the most sentimental person, but she often grew misty-eyed when she spoke of her husband.
Meredith raised her eyebrows in her brother-in-law’s direction. “I’m surprised you didn’t escort Lady Harriet Lambkins this evening.”
“She had to stay home to dye her wool,” James shot back with a good-natured grin. “She sends her regrets.”
“You must tell your dearest friend that we missed her.” Since learning the lengths Colin’s brother had gone to in order to scare her away, Meredith couldn’t allow him to escape without a bit of teasing.
The duke elbowed her in the side. “Is your mother still taking the shrew to Bath next week?”
“Your Grace,” Meredith hissed and angled a glance at Audrey sitting on the other side of James.
The girls’ mother stared straight ahead like she hadn’t heard the duke, but it would be impossible with Danby speaking as if he was addressing the House of Lords and wanted everyone seated in the back row to hear him.
“My mother and her guest are leaving next Friday,” Meredith said in a hushed voice. The duke did not follow her example.
“That mother of yours is a saint.”
Mama shushed Danby and playfully threatened to make him switch chairs with her if he didn’t behave.
Meredith agreed that her mother must be a saint to travel with Audrey. Colin’s sister-in-law had leapt at the chance to leave Yorkshire for several weeks to partake of the healing waters. Mama believed it would be a healing experience for everyone, especially Meredith and Colin, who wanted to enjoy the first few weeks as newlyweds in peace.
Meredith was concerned the girls would miss their mother when she was gone, but Audrey had promised to return by Christmas. The girls would be well cared for in her absence and kept busy with their lessons. Meredith and Colin would make certain of it.
Even though Meredith had a dowry and the duke was
allowing Blackwood sheep to winter on Danby land, she and Colin had decided it would be best for her to continue as the girls’ governess. They had been through too many changes this year already and deserved a bit of predictability.
As soon as Mrs. Browning sat down at the pianoforte, Meredith’s students stood up straight with their hands clasped at their waists.
“It is beginning,” she whispered to Colin, her heart bursting with pride.
He threaded his fingers with hers as he beamed at his darling nieces. It was the first musicale to be held at Blackwood Castle, and a first time for the Danbys and MacBrides to gather as friends. But if Meredith had any say, and she truly believed she did with Colin on her side, it wouldn’t be the last.
About Samantha Grace
Historical romance author Samantha Grace discovered the appeal of a great love story when she was just a young girl, thanks to Disney's "Robin Hood". She didn't care that Robin Hood and Maid Marian were cartoon animals. It was her first happily-ever-after experience and she didn't want the warm fuzzies to end. Now that Samantha is grown, she enjoys creating her own happy-endings for characters that spring from her imagination. Publisher's Weekly describes her stories as "fresh and romantic" with subtle humor and charm. Samantha describes romance writing as the best job ever.
Part-time medical social worker, moonlighting author, and Pilates nut, she enjoys a happy and hectic life with her real life hero and two kids in the Midwest.
Connect with Samantha
@SamGraceAuthor
Samantha-Grace-264436686918343
www.samanthagraceauthor.com
Also by Samantha Grace
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel
Lady Amelia’s Mess and a Half
Miss Lavigne's Little White Lie
Lady Vivian Defies a Duke
One Rogue Too Many
The Best of Both Rogues
In Bed with a Rogue
Kissed By a Scottish Rogue
Charming a Scoundrel
Twice Upon a Time
Secrets to a Gentleman’s Heart
Thwarting the Duke
Thwarting the Duke
Outwitting the Duke
Outwitting the Duke
Dismissing the Duke
Dismissing the Duke