The Marquis and I

by Ella Quinn

  “So all’s well that ends well?” Charlotte asked.

  “It appears so.” He kissed her lightly on her head. “He will miss all of you, but he does seem happy. We would not have left him there otherwise. Once he goes to live with them, he has orders to write every week.”

  Tears of joy pricked her eyes. “I’m so, so glad he found his family.”

  “As am I, my love. As am I.” He resolved to make Worthington agree to a date. The last Con had been told, his future brother-in-law had to speak to someone at St. George’s.

  “I propose a toast before all the ladies begin to cry,” Rothwell said, pouring more champagne into everyone’s glasses. “To new families and to my newest brother.”

  “And,” Merton said, standing, “to our families always remaining close.”

  They raised their glasses. “Hear, hear.”

  “We have something else to celebrate.” Louisa blushed rosily. “Rothwell and I are expecting an interesting event at the end of February.”

  “Oh, Louisa, that’s wonderful!” Charlotte leaned over and hugged her sister.

  Dotty hurried over and embraced Louisa as well. The men slapped Rothwell on the back, congratulating him.

  Con drew his arm around Charlotte, and whispered, “We’ll be next.”

  Even now she could be carrying his child. What he did not understand was why the devil her brother would not make his wife set the damn date.

  * * *

  Con woke early the next morning as had become his habit recently. Last evening the Worthington table had been expanded to accommodate the Mertons and Rothwells.

  Most of the talk had centered around Jemmy and the upcoming party to which all the children were going to be allowed to attend. There was so much energy infusing the room, he thought the children would resist going to bed. Yet he was wrong. The mere threat of being deprived of the treat made them docile.

  Con had been able to sneak a few moments alone with Charlotte, but since they all had to be up early, their party broke up shortly after nine. Still, the evening had been successful. Worthington had agreed to tell Con this morning when he could marry.

  A noise came from his dressing room, and Cunningham came out carrying his black silk breeches.

  “I thought I would wear pantaloons this morning,” Con said.

  “Not to the breakfast, my lord.” His valet appeared shocked.

  “No, but until then. I still have several hours to go.”

  “You received a message from Lord Worthington that he wishes you to attend him at eight-thirty.”

  Perhaps this was it. Con would find out when he was marrying Charlotte and they could announce it at the breakfast. “What time is it now?”

  “Just on seven, my lord. Your bath is ready.”

  He was tying his cravat when Cunningham answered a knock at the door. He came back carrying a small velvet bag. “This is for you, my lord.”

  “In just a minute.” Con lowered his chin, making sure the creases in his neckcloth were perfect. “Now you may give it to me.”

  His valet pulled out a folded piece of paper and a tie pin.

  Con opened the paper.

  For my beloved,

  I shall see you soon.

  With all my love,

  Charlotte

  “It reminds me of the ring you gave her ladyship.”

  A flawless emerald winked at him from a bed of small pearls. “It does at that. I shall have to visit Rundell and Bridge after the breakfast today.”

  Perhaps he would take Charlotte and they could find a piece together.

  “Your sister said she would meet you in the breakfast room.” His valet helped him with his jacket. “There you are, my lord.”

  A pot of tea was being set on the table when he entered the breakfast room. Annis was already there, dressed for the day instead of in her customary morning gown.

  “Where are you going?” Con asked, taking a piece of toast and placing it on his plate. Slices of ham and a baked egg followed.

  “I’m going visiting.” She set down her cup. “Mama said to give you this. It is for Charlotte.” His sister handed him a large velvet pouch. “It is to go with the ring she chose.”

  He took out a necklace. Opals were interspersed with emeralds set into the same figured gold pattern as her ring. “She will love it. She sent me this tie pin this morning. I think I shall send this over to her. She may wear it at the breakfast.”

  Annis raised her cup, hiding her expression. “That is a lovely idea.”

  Con ate quickly, then went to his study. He pulled out a piece of pressed paper and tried to think of something romantic to write, but he was no poet.

  My darling Charlotte,

  This is for you with all my love.

  I shall see you soon.

  C.

  “Webster, have this delivered to Lady Charlotte.”

  His butler bowed and Con thought he saw the man’s lips twitch. His eyes must be playing tricks on him. Just the idea was shocking.

  * * *

  Charlotte was dressed in a silk gown of Pomona green. Her maid was putting pearl-tipped pins in her hair when the door opened and Mary and Theo ran in.

  “Grace just told us you are getting married this morning and that is what the party is for.” The words rushed out of Mary’s mouth before Theo could get a word in edgewise. “Why didn’t you tell us?”

  Taking their hands, Charlotte drew the little girls to her. “Because it is a surprise for Constantine. He does not know he is being wed this morning.”

  “Does Merton know?” Theo asked a bit belligerently.

  “He does, but only because he had to keep Constantine busy.” Charlotte hoped Theo would understand. “But Rothwell, Cousin Jane, Cousin Hector, and almost everyone else do not know. Dotty and Louisa had to be told because I needed their help. And Lady Kendrick and her mother know for the same reason.”

  “Then I don’t feel bad.” Mary hugged Charlotte carefully.

  “I don’t either.” Theo kissed Charlotte on the cheek. “You look beautiful, but we don’t have anything for you.”

  “Let’s not be so hasty.” Grace strolled into the bedchamber holding a posy of pink roses with blue nigella blooms. “What do you think of this?”

  Eyes shining, the girls nodded. “That’s the best posy we’ve ever given anyone.”

  “We have accomplished something blue.” Grace shot Charlotte a grin. “I am afraid Madeline and the twins are slightly put out as well.”

  As if they had been summoned, the three girls entered the room. They each held a handkerchief embroidered in white work. “You would have had more,” Alice said, “if we had been told.”

  “These are beautiful. Please forgive me, but I truly want to surprise Constantine.”

  “Almost no one knew,” Theo said. “Only Dotty, Louisa, Grace, Merton, and Matt.”

  “And Constantine’s mama and sister, because Charlotte needed them to keep the secret,” Mary added.

  “We forgive you,” the older girls said as one.

  “My lady.” Walker turned from the door. “This came for you.”

  Charlotte put the bag on her dressing table and took out the most beautiful necklace she had ever seen. Setting it down on her dressing table, she read the note. “It’s from Constantine. Do you think he knows?”

  “Not at all,” Grace said. “Annis remembered a necklace went with the ring, and she gave it to him this morning.”

  “Are we late?” Dotty strolled into the room. “I see you have new handkerchiefs, blue flowers, and an old necklace. You may borrow my butterfly pin.”

  “I have earbobs for you.” Louisa spilled out a pair of earrings of emeralds and opals into her hand.

  “Thank you both.” Fighting the tears that threatened to fill her eyes, Charlotte hugged her friends. “These are perfect.”

  “Don’t forget me.” Augusta rushed into the bedchamber and handed Charlotte an opal bracelet. “Grace said I could buy one with emer
alds, but I thought you might want something you could wear more often.”

  “That is very thoughtful.” Charlotte kissed her sister on the cheek. “I shall wear it often.”

  “Char.” Charlie tapped on the open door. “It’s time to go. Matt has Kenilworth in his study so we can leave from the front.”

  “Are we going to walk this time?” Mary asked.

  “No, sweetheart,” Grace said. “We don’t want Constantine to see you. He will arrive at the church last.”

  “So now everyone knows but him?” Theo asked.

  Charlotte nodded. “Yes.”

  * * *

  When they arrived at the church, Mr. Peterson, the young clergyman who had performed all the Worthington marriage services, had a grin on his face.

  He greeted Charlotte. “My lady, I have never heard of the bride planning a surprise wedding, but I understand from your brother the gentleman is happy to be marrying you.”

  “He has been trying for the past several days to convince my brother to agree to a date.”

  “Well then.” Mr. Peterson chuckled. “As Lord Worthington is bringing the groom, who will give away the bride?”

  “I shall.” Charlie stepped up next to her.

  “My brother, the Earl of Stanwood.”

  Mr. Peterson glanced around the church. “Will your other brothers attend?”

  “Yes,” Louisa, standing next to Dotty, said. “They are coming with our husbands.”

  Annis slipped into a pew with her mother and gave a little wave.

  The girls had just settled down when Walter, Phillip, Jemmy, Rothwell, and Merton arrived.

  The boys had wide smiles on their faces. “We had to tell the coachmen to bring us,” Walter said.

  “I have never heard of a surprise wedding.” Rothwell strolled up to Louisa. “And you knew all about it.”

  Dotty tucked her hand in the crook of Merton’s arm. “Thank you for helping to keep the secret.”

  “Anything for my family.” He bent and kissed her cheek.

  “They are coming,” Hal called from the door at the side of the church.

  The children settled down. Dotty and Louisa stood next to Charlotte with Charlie, and Merton and Rothwell stood on the other side where Constantine would be.

  Charlotte caught Constantine’s eye as he strode in with her brother. “Isn’t he handsome?”

  “Are your insides fluttering as if birds had taken up residence?” Dotty asked.

  “I had trouble breathing. It was as if my breath had been taken away,” Louisa added.

  “All that and more.” Charlotte’s smile grew as Constantine’s grin broadened.

  When he finally reached her, he took her hands. “You had me completely flummoxed. But now that I think about it, I can see the hints our families accidentally dropped.”

  “You are happy?” She did not even know why she asked. His eyes told her everything she needed to know.

  “Can you doubt it?”

  “No, never.” She glanced at the clergyman. “We are ready to begin.”

  Charlotte had heard the words so often of late; still, she was almost surprised to hear herself repeating them. She wanted to laugh out loud when Constantine’s gaze heated as he promised to worship her body.

  When the vicar pronounced them man and wife, he shocked everyone by kissing her at the altar. “Finally.”

  “Yes,” she whispered. “Finally.”

  Constantine turned to leave and she tugged them to the side. “We have to sign the register.”

  “I forgot it as well,” Rothwell said.

  “Something about wanting to be alone with one’s bride,” Merton added.

  “Now that that’s done,” Constantine said, “we have an End-of-Season wedding breakfast to attend. Did you plan our wedding trip as well?”

  Charlotte widened her eyes. “Of course not. That would have been much too forward, my lord.”

  He chuckled. “What do you think of the Lake District? I hear it is lovely this time of year.”

  “What a wonderful idea.” She shot a suppressive look at Dotty, who had gone into whoops.

  “I am glad you agree. I might even have a lovely little house near Lake Windermere. With very few servants.”

  Charlotte slid him a sultry smile. “Even better.”

  Epilogue

  Eight months later

  Charlotte ambled into Con’s newly decorated study and lowered herself into one of the two leather-covered chairs in front of his desk. How she remained so graceful, as heavy with their child as she was, he had no idea.

  “This came for you.” She held out a letter. “It’s from France.”

  The only one he knew in France was Aimée, and he had certainly never expected to hear from her. “Open it.”

  After neatly popping off the seal, Charlotte spread the paper on his desk. And read, “Mon ami.” She looked up at him. “Did she always call you her friend?”

  “Yes.” Now that he considered it, that was a rather strange form of address. Many mistresses referred to their protectors more intimately. “That or Kenilworth.”

  “Never Constantine or Con?” Charlotte had a curious expression on her face, and he wondered if he would do well to tread carefully.

  “No. She was never that informal. I always thought it was something to do with her being French, but after that last conversation with her, I believe it was her way of keeping a distance.”

  His wife nodded as if she understood, and went back to the missive. “‘You may end the account you set up for me. I have married and have no further need of your funds. Trust me when I tell you I have never been happier. I wish for you the same. Aimée.’”

  “I’m glad,” he said as Charlotte refolded the paper. “She deserved to find happiness.”

  “Yes, she and so many others.” She slid the note across the desk to him. “Are you surprised that she will no longer accept your largess?”

  Con put his hand over hers, stopping the motion. “No. She would still see it as payment for what she did in her former life. It would not shock me if she somehow found a way to return all the money.” He glanced down at their hands, and up at his wife. “This belongs in the fire.”

  Incinerated. Reduced to ashes, as was Aimée’s past life. Con would not keep anything that could connect her to that past.

  Charlotte gazed at him for a long moment, her head tilted to one side. Then she gave an almost imperceptible nod, took the letter to the fireplace, and tossed it in. A few moments later she returned to the chair. “What shall you do with the money if she returns it?”

  “Donate it to your charity. It should continue to help others in need.” He reveled in the bright smile she gave him. It had never occurred to him that he could be this happy.

  Suddenly, Charlotte’s expression changed to a grimace and her hand went to her stomach. “They are getting closer together and stronger.”

  “What!” He jumped up, knocking his heavy leather chair over, and ran around to her. “You’re in labor?” It was too early. She should not give birth for a few weeks. He lifted her out of the chair. “You should be in bed.” Reaching out, he yanked the bell pull, and the door opened. His butler bowed. “Call the midwife and the doctor.”

  “The midwife has been called, my lord. She arrived several minutes ago.”

  Con put his arm around Charlotte, supporting her as he walked slowly toward the corridor. “What about the doctor?”

  “Attending another birth, my lord.” Webster frowned. “He sent a message saying he’d be here as soon as he could.”

  “Constantine,” Charlotte said, laughing. “Cease. I’m fine, and I refuse to be cooped up in my bedchamber until these children come.”

  His mind went blank for a second. “Children?”

  “Yes.” She grinned at him. “Mrs. Connor thinks she felt two babies the last time she examined me.” Charlotte patted his cheek. “They typically come a little early, but I’ll be fine. Both the little ones and I ar
e healthy and have stayed active.”

  “I am sure you are supposed to be in bed.” He tried to infuse his tone with authority, but was truly at a loss. He had never felt so helpless in his life.

  “Even though I was a child for the births of some of my brothers and sisters, I watched my mother go through them. She never went to her chamber until she was sure her time was near.”

  His butler hovered, and he didn’t know how to respond. “But-but—”

  “The worst that can happen is the babies are born in some other room than my bedchamber. If you wish to be helpful, stroll with me.”

  “If you’re sure.” Her poor husband sounded like a warrior facing a battle without a sword.

  “I am quite sure.” She began to walk slowly toward the door.

  Grace had written Charlotte shortly after giving birth to her son, Gideon, Viscount Vivers, telling her what to expect. She had also received a letter from Dotty a month later after Dotty had given birth to her daughter, little Lady Vivienne, and one from Louisa after the birth of Matthew, Marquis of Langton. So, despite having never given birth before, Charlotte felt amazingly confident and knowledgeable.

  Her sister’s missive had been the most important. Grace had attended their mother when the twins and the younger children were born, and had also been the recipient of their mother’s story of when Mama had carried Grace. The advice to walk and take light nourishment for as long as possible was exactly what Charlotte intended to do. It was fortunate that the midwife agreed. The doctor, however, was another matter entirely, and a problem she hoped not to have to deal with. She really wished their butler had not taken it upon himself to summon the man.

  After an hour of Charlotte ambling and eating, Constantine and the rest of the household quickly realized what she was doing. Footmen with worried expressions hovered nearby with trays of light delicacies from Cook. Nourishing broths were added to small pieces of toast topped with chicken, cheeses, and fruits from their succession houses.

  Collette hovered around Charlotte, staying close to her skirts but never getting in the way.