To that end, Hannah had at last taken matters into her own hands and penned a truly honest letter to her husband. One that apologized for any hurt she had caused and for her fear that had kept her from him for so long. She wrote of her unwavering love and that no matter what he decided for his future, whether it included her or not, she would bear him no ill will. That he would always have a place in his child’s life, and that she would continue to advocate for his happiness.
Hannah patted the letter in her pocket, which she intended to have her aunt post this very day. Just committing her true feelings to paper had lifted a terrible burden from her soul and filled her with peace.
She headed down the hallway, suddenly aware that an odd hush surrounded the house. She’d expected to hear Aunt Iris’s voice in the parlor, or Molly’s precious chatter, but only silence met her ears as she made her way to the dining room. Even Carstairs was noticeably absent.
Because she’d risen much later than the rest of the household, breakfast would be long over. She would ask the cook for some toast and tea.
The unexpected sight of her aunt at the dining table made her smile. “Good morning, Auntie. How are you today?”
“Very well, my dear. You slept well, I trust?”
Hannah removed a lid from the silver platter on the sideboard, pleased to note some scrambled eggs remained. “Yes, though I fear I stayed too long abed.” She chose a sausage and some toast to complement the eggs.
“Nonsense. You need all the rest you can get before the babe arrives.” The teacup in Iris’s hand trembled on its saucer.
Hannah set her plate on the table with a slight frown. “Is everything all right, Auntie? Why are you not with Edward this morning?”
“He is out walking with Molly and Daisy. Come and sit beside me. There is something we need to discuss.” Her aunt’s normally sparkling eyes remained solemn.
Hannah’s heart clutched as she took a seat next to her.
“You must promise to remain calm at what I’m about to tell you. It’s not bad news. At least I hope it’s not.”
Hannah swallowed. “I’ll do my best.”
Her aunt pressed her lips together, then exhaled. “I’ve heard from Nolan.”
Despite her promise, Hannah’s pulse quickened. Why had he contacted her aunt instead of her? Her mouth went dry and she licked her lips to moisten them. “What did his letter say?”
The clock on the sideboard ticked loudly in the silence.
“I didn’t receive a letter.” Her aunt reached out to cover Hannah’s hands with her own cool fingers. “Nolan is here, Hannah.”
The air whooshed out of her lungs, while the room’s floral wallpaper swirled around her. Her heart threatened to leap from her chest.
Nolan was here—in this house—at this very moment!
“You don’t have to see him if it will cause you distress. I have explained your condition, and he understands.”
Hannah inhaled deeply, thinking of the letter she had written him only hours earlier. Nolan had come to her at last. She owed it to him and to their child to face her future with courage.
Iris had risen to pour her a glass of water. “Here, dear. Drink this.”
Obediently she sipped the cool liquid, grateful for the relief to her parched throat.
She met her aunt’s gaze. “Could you have Nolan meet me in the parlor in five minutes?”
“Are you certain you won’t be putting the baby in jeopardy?”
Hannah straightened her spine against the back of the chair. “Not knowing where I stand with my husband would be worse for our child. I need to resolve the situation one way or the other.”
“Very well, then. Five minutes.”
In the musty study, Nolan paced the length of the carpet until he feared the pattern would wear away. What on earth was taking Iris so long? Had Hannah refused to see him?
His insides twisted more with each passing minute.
At last, the door opened and the duchess entered. She smoothed the skirts of her blue dress and came toward him.
Nolan met her halfway. “Well? How did Hannah take the news?”
“She was shocked, naturally, but she wants to see you. She’s asked for a few minutes to prepare herself.” Iris clasped his hand and squeezed. “I will be praying for you both. That God will grant you the wisdom and strength to heal your marriage.”
“Thank you. I’ve been praying for that same outcome myself.”
Five minutes later, Nolan stood outside the parlor, palms slick with sweat as he knocked on the door.
“Come in.” Hannah’s sweet voice met his ears.
The voice he hadn’t heard in six months.
He ran his fingers over his hair and straightened his waistcoat.
Lord, if ever I’ve needed your guidance, it’s now. Give me the grace to win back my wife’s affections—without causing her any distress.
He stepped through the door. The sunlight streaming through the large rectangular windows blinded him momentarily. He blinked to refocus, then turned to the settee where Hannah sat like a queen on her throne.
Nolan forgot to breathe. He drank in her beauty like a thirsty man finding an oasis in the desert. She was more beautiful than ever with her blond locks curling down over one shoulder. Instead of servant’s garb, she wore a gown of the softest yellow that rivaled the sunbeams dancing over the carpet.
“Hannah.” Her name was a whisper on his lips.
“Hello, Nolan. It’s good to see you.” She held herself rigid on her seat. Her calm green eyes gave away nothing.
His gaze dropped to her waistline, and his jaw dropped. Gone was the slim maiden he had fallen in love with. In her place, a mature woman bloomed with health, ripe with the new life within her. Her hand moved to cover her abdomen as if protecting the child from him. The pain of that small motion cut through him like a lance.
“You look beautiful.” He wanted to move closer, but his feet rooted themselves to the floor.
“Thank you, though I feel like a lumbering ox most times.” Her lips tipped upward into a smile. “You look very nice too. Like a true gentleman.”
He forced his feet to move across the floor and took a seat on one of the armchairs where he could look her in the eye.
Hannah twisted a handkerchief between her fingers. “Before you say anything,” she said. “I need to ask your forgiveness—for leaving the way I did. I realize now how unfair it was to you.”
“You needn’t apologize, Hannah. You were protecting our child. I understand that.”
She lowered her head. “I was also running away. And for that I’m truly sorry.”
Frustration built an uncomfortable pressure in his chest. He wanted to shout his feelings from the roof, not weigh each word before he spoke. But for her sake, he would contain himself. “I’m the one who needs forgiveness, Hannah. Not you.”
Confusion clouded her eyes. She opened her mouth to speak, but he held up a hand to stop her. “Please,” he said. “I need to say a few things without interruption. After that, you can tell me whatever you wish.”
“Very well.”
He fisted his hands on his lap, then forced them to relax, splayed loosely on his knees. “These past months, I spent every day sitting through instructions on what the nobility eats, wears, and thinks. Though mad with the tedium, I did it for you—or so I told myself—all the while congratulating myself on how noble I was in giving you the space and the tranquility you said you needed. I waited patiently for my wife to come to her senses, to let me know she needed me, wanted me with her, yet nothing but a few polite letters arrived.” Unable to remain seated, he pushed to his feet and paced in front of the settee. “I told myself I was doing the right thing, honoring your request, and patted myself on the back for it. It took my father to make me realize I was suffering from a severe case of pride.”
A slight frown creased her forehead, but she remained silent.
“I was too proud,” he continued. “Too angry and
hurt to follow my heart and come for you. I have been steeping in sin all these months, letting it fester inside like an infected wound, instead of trying to see the situation from your viewpoint.” He came to kneel in front of her, taking one of her hands in his. “Can you ever forgive me for being such a fool?”
“Oh, Nolan. I have felt so alone.” Tears brimmed on Hannah’s lower lashes. “So afraid that you didn’t want me now that you were getting used to life as the earl’s son.” She held the handkerchief to her nose. “I feared you would only want the child—and not me.”
Nolan hung his head. “It’s because I left you alone too long.”
“To a degree. But for the most part, it was my own insecurity.” She paused. “Ever since my mother left me at Stainsby, I have felt undeserving of love. If my own mother didn’t love me, or want me, why would anyone else?” More tears flowed down her cheeks.
Restraint gone, Nolan moved up to the settee and gathered Hannah into his arms. “Hush. You mustn’t upset yourself.” He drank in the familiar feel of her in his arms, the wondrous scent of her hair. When she seemed calmer, he held her away from him to study her.
She gave him a tremulous smile. “It’s all right. I’ve finally made peace with Mum, and I feel better about things now.”
“I’m glad to hear it. Though there is one more thing that has weighed on my mind.” He hesitated, a clutch of trepidation gnawing at him. “I fear that I rushed you into marriage before you had time to consider it fully. I didn’t give you a chance to refuse. Didn’t take time to listen to what you wanted.”
“That’s not—”
“So I am asking you now with the sincerest humility—Hannah, do you wish to be married to me?” His heart thudded, awaiting her reply. What would he do if she wished to end their relationship?
“Are we not already married? Or did your father succeed in annulling our marriage?”
“That’s not the point.” With effort, he reined in his frustration. “If you were a free woman right now, would you still wish to marry me?” Perhaps it was pride, perhaps insecurity, but he needed to know that despite everything, she would still choose to share her life with him.
She stiffened within his arms and raised her chin. “Only if you truly love me. Not for the child I carry, but for who I am inside.”
His shoulders slumped with the enormity of her question. How could he ever convince her of that? Get past her emotional scars and make her see the truth?
Speak from your heart, an inner voice urged.
He swallowed the last remnant of his pride and allowed his heart to take over. “I have always loved you for who you are, Hannah. It doesn’t matter to me if you wear a servant’s apron or a gown of the finest silk; if you’re as slender as a reed or large with child. It’s your soul that I love. You are a woman of courage and faith who keeps me grounded.” He took one of her hands in his. “I thought my life would be complete once I knew my father, but I was wrong. My life is only complete with you there to share it. It has taken me this long to figure out that I am worthy in my own right of such love, not because of who my father is, but because I’m the man my mother raised me to be. The man my heavenly Father shaped me to be.” He paused to wipe the tears from her cheek. “And this man, with all his flaws, wants you to share his life—whatever that turns out to be.” He waited for her response, not daring to breathe.
Misery swirled in her eyes. “What if I don’t fit into your new life?” she whispered.
“Then we’ll go elsewhere. Live the simple life we’d originally planned and raise our child to be a kind, considerate, faith-filled person.”
“You would give up your inheritance for me?”
“I will do whatever it takes to make you happy. I only wish I had done so up until now.” He raised her hand to his lips.
A tremulous smile broke through her tears. “In that case, Mr. Price, I would be honored to be your wife—again. For better or worse.”
“So I haven’t destroyed your love for me?”
She reached out to cup his jaw. “I’ll never stop loving you, Nolan. My heart doesn’t know how.”
His vision blurred with tears of his own as he pulled her to him, his mouth claiming hers at last. Their breath mingled, entwining their souls in a long-awaited reunion. He placed a gentle hand on the swell of her abdomen, on the miraculous embodiment of their love.
A ripple under his fingers made him jump. “What is that? Have I kissed you too hard?”
Hannah’s rich laughter pealed through the room. “No, that is your son or daughter claiming our attention. I have a feeling this little one will be very demanding, based on all the trouble he or she has caused already.”
Relief coursed through him, as did the sudden recollection of the rest of his plan. “I have one more surprise, if you think you can handle it.” He searched her face for any sign of fatigue or discomfort, but all he saw was his own joy reflected back.
“What kind of surprise?”
“I fear our wedding was a rather rushed affair. More of an elopement, and not likely the ceremony you’d dreamed of having.”
“Nolan, no—”
He placed a finger against her lips. “Since we have most of our family here in one place, would you be willing to repeat our vows?”
“Now?” Her green eyes widened.
He grinned, liquid happiness spilling through his veins. “As soon as you can get ready. I fear we’ve kept the good reverend waiting long enough as it is.”
Chapter
31
Hannah glanced at her reflection in the drawing room mirror and arranged the lace veil her aunt had insisted she wear. It had been Aunt Iris’s bridal veil, and she’d kept it packed away in the attic all these years, carefully wrapped so that the ivory fabric appeared as fresh as the day she’d worn it. Hannah hardly dared to believe all that had happened in such a short space of time—that Nolan had come to declare his love at last, and that now they would reenact their wedding in front of all their loved ones, even some of his new relatives.
Nolan was right—she hadn’t realized what she’d missed out on the first time around. Grateful tears dampened her eyes at all the trouble he’d gone to, finding Reverend Black, waiting for him to bury a parishioner, and bringing him to Hartford.
Hannah smiled at Molly, who had changed into her best dress. Delighted to be a bridesmaid, she’d helped Hannah don her ivory silk gown, one of the new ones made for her widened waistline that she hadn’t yet had a chance to wear. Iris had provided lengths of pink ribbon to adorn both girls’ gowns and had fashioned a small posy out of some dried roses.
“You look radiant,” Aunt Iris exclaimed once the veil had been secured in Hannah’s hair. “I’m so happy I get to see your wedding after all.”
“No happier than I.” Hannah’s mother did not bother to stop the tears streaming from her eyes. In a rose-colored dress borrowed from Iris, her mother had transformed from a farm wife to a lady of status. Even her face looked more youthful. She squeezed Hannah in a warm embrace. “You are certain you want to do this?”
“More than anything.”
“This is so romantic,” Molly sighed. “I hope someday I’ll marry a man as handsome as Nolan and get to wear such a beautiful dress.”
Iris patted her cheek. “All in good time, Molly dear. Now let’s not keep the gentlemen waiting.”
With a flourish, she opened the door into the hallway, and they all filed toward the parlor. Her mother and aunt slipped into the room, which had been set up with extra chairs facing the mantel. Iris’s housekeeper, who had a passable talent on the piano, had been asked to play a lilting tune while Hannah entered the room. When everyone was ready, Molly led the way with Hannah a few steps behind. Dressed in his robes, Reverend Black stood in front of the hearth, Nolan and the earl to one side.
When Hannah’s gaze locked with Nolan’s, the nerves dancing in her stomach settled. This was the man she had adored since she was a girl. In his eyes, she saw the light of
his love shining with such purity that she couldn’t look away.
It seemed to take forever to reach him, her legs trembling with every step. He moved toward her, hand outstretched. Smiling through her veil, she placed her hand in his. Together, they turned to face the minister, whose ruddy face beamed at them.
“As most of you might know, I performed this couple’s marriage ceremony several months ago. I am most pleased to be here today to witness the renewal of their vows in front of their family and friends. Without further ado, let us begin.”
Hannah gave Molly her posy and joined hands with Nolan.
The minister opened his prayer book. “I’d like to begin with a verse from Genesis. ‘And the rib, which the Lord God had taken from man, made he a woman and brought her unto the man. And Adam said, This is now bone of my bones, and flesh of my flesh: she shall be called Woman, because she was taken out of Man. Therefore shall a man leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave unto his wife: and they shall be one flesh.’”
After a significant pause, Reverend Black looked up. “Do you, Nolan, in sight of God and these witnesses, take Hannah to be your wedded wife, to love, honor, and cherish her till death do you part?”
Nolan looked deep into her eyes. “I do.”
“And do you, Hannah, in sight of God and these witnesses, take Nolan to be your wedded husband, to love, honor, and obey him till death do you part?”
She looked into Nolan’s handsome face, eyes the warm blue of a summer sky. “I do.”
“Then it is my honor once again to pronounce you husband and wife. What God has joined let no man put asunder.”
Nolan smiled as he reached into his pocket and took out the simple wedding band Bert had fashioned for her all those months ago. “I think it’s time we put this back on—for good.” He slipped the ring onto Hannah’s finger.
She gave her husband a trembling smile. At last her doubts had been laid to rest. She belonged to Nolan, and nothing would change that. Their child would be brought into this world secure in that knowledge.
A Most Noble Heir Page 26