by Aileen Fish
“Yes,” she said softly. “Was that everything?”
He rolled onto his back and tugged her over to lie on his chest. “That is what can result in children. But is that everything? Far from.”
She kissed him. “Good.”
EPILOGUE
Although it took place a fortnight after their actual wedding, their wedding breakfast had the same gaiety and excitement as any other gathering of its kind. The Baron and Baroness Chester hosted the affair and it took the form of a picnic style gathering in their blooming summer garden. Elisa thought it terribly appropriate to have the party here, in the very place where they had first kissed, first touched. Although ostensibly a picnic, the baroness had a large table set up on the open lawn and was just now gathering everyone to their seats.
For purposes of their duties at this gathering, Casimir had been invited to serve as best man, an irony in and of itself, and Violetta, of course, to serve as matron of honor. Once the revelers had been gathered, Casimir tapped the side of his wine glass to call everyone’s attention.
“For those of you who don’t know me, I am Casimir Rokiczana. As you may be able to tell by my accent, I am not from here, but it is my understanding that part of my role as ‘best man’ is to give a toast to the happy couple. John, I took the liberty of seeking guidance on this tradition and the advice was very clear. Make everyone laugh, make everyone cry, honor your beautiful bride, and embarrass the-- wait, let me check my notes. Yes, embarrass the bloody hell out of you.”
The crowd burst out into laughter and Casimir winked, making a check mark in the air with his finger.
“In case you didn’t know, John and I both served as clerks at the Congress of Vienna. I like to think the months we spent together there are among his fondest memories. For one, he didn’t seem to mind the mountains of paperwork we were handed daily. And for another, he had me for entertainment. My assumption of his happiness is supported by the fact that, given the chance to do it all again, he accepted my offer of partnership in running W.T. Investment, where I promised I would give him all the paperwork, and just concentrate on being entertaining. However, all teasing aside, I do know John well enough to know that he embarrasses easily, so we will consider that gentle ribbing to have satisfied our requirement. No, no groaning from you. I can toast everyone else later with a full load of embarrassment.
“Honoring John’s beautiful bride Elisa will be, of course, one of the easiest assignments I’ve ever had. Elisa, the effect you have had on John has been remarkable. Because of you, he is a stronger, happier, and more complete man. He has even been known to use complete sentences now.” The crowd roared with laughter again, but Casimir waved at them in a teasing hushing motion. “You have the gratitude of all of us who love him, because you have finally let us see what we suspected lurked under those awkward pauses and repeated words. A man who is gentle, incredibly brave, loving, and unendingly loyal.” Elisa was tearing up and saw that Violetta was openly crying.
Casimir turned to the crowd at large. “What you may not know is exactly how important the matron of honor and I are in getting these two together. Violetta never gave up on the hope that John would attend one of her entertainments. She sent him an invitation to every single one for over five years. In case you don’t know the baroness, she entertains often. An expertise that is corroborated by the fact that she brought together this gathering in less time than it takes me to pick a coat. We can only guess at the hundreds of invitations she penned to John over those years, continuing to do so even after receiving hundreds of refusals. As for my own role, well.” Casimir paused long enough that Elisa became anxious over what he might say. Then he held his wife’s hand to his lips and said, “John admits that I inspired him to know how to treat a lady. Thus, when Violetta’s invitations finally yielded fruit and John attended her masque ball, he was prepared for how to capture the heart of this beautiful woman in attendance. And that, as they say, was history.” At that, Casimir picked up his wine glass to raise high above his head. “To the happy couple! May they always know the happiness they have known in this garden.”
Thanks for reading the first installment in Sue London’s new steamy Haberdashers Nights series of novellas!
Sue London is the bestselling historical romance author of the Haberdashers series. She loves animals, reading, and about a million other things. When not at work or writing (aka, rarely), you might spot her at an amusement park or Renaissance Faire.
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Other Titles by Sue London on Amazon Trials of Artemis: Haberdashers Book One
Athena’s Ordeal: Haberdashers Book Two
Fates for Apate: Haberdashers Book Three
A Common Christmas: Haberdashers Tales #1
Fortune Said: Haberdashers Tales #2
Lily In Bloom
Tammy Andresen
Dedication
This book is dedicated to my mother, without whom I would not be who I am today, and to my daughters, whose futures I anxiously await.
Acknowledgements
First and foremost I have to thank my family. I have disappeared behind my laptop and they love me anyway.
In addition, I have to thank Booktrope for taking a chance on me. I would also like to thank my team, for all of their hard work and encouragement along the way. Erika, Samantha, and Andie- you ladies rock!
Finally, a huge thanks to my friend, mentor, and amazing author, Shari Ryan. You have put me back on the path. I don’t know how to thank you but I know I am going to keep trying.
Chapter 1
April 1854
“This color would look lovely on you, darling. It is the perfect shade of blue for your eyes.” The dressmaker gushed over a bolt of lovely fabric as she held it up under Lillian Carter’s chin.
Lily smiled weakly and looked over at her brother, James. She knew that they couldn’t afford custom dresses and that is why she hadn’t wanted to come to the dress shop at all but her brother had insisted. He wanted her to have new clothes for the upcoming spring season in Boston.
“That’s perfect, we’ll take it.” James said with a stubborn set to his jaw.
“You look like you just swallowed sour milk,” Lily said to her brother with a laugh. James scowled more deeply and gave his sister a hard look. Undeterred, she stopped laughing but continued to smile. “We don’t need to buy dresses James. I am sure I can make do with what I have. I can always rework them to be more in fashion.”
“Absolutely not. With Tom’s wedding happening this season you’ll need clothes for all the events we’ll be attending. It will be the perfect opportunity for you to be introduced to perspective suitors.” James’ face remained set.
Lily’s smile slipped from her face but she said nothing and James did not notice because his wife had emerged from the dressing room. Elise stood before them in a beautiful pink evening dress. She pirouetted and then stepped in front of the mirror.
“What do you think?” Elise asked with a smile. Her dark hair and eyes were set off beautifully by the fabric, which came off the shoulder and hugged her supple curves.
“You look beautiful.” Lily said, with a smile, to her sister-in-law.
James moved closer to inspect his wife and the two shared a look that made Lily turn away with a slight blush on her face. Her brother and Elise had fallen madly in love six years ago and had been married for the past five. They seemed just as passionate about each other now as they had then. Lily hoped for the opportunity to find that for herself someday but her time was running out.
“Miss Carter, why don’t you step into the dressing room, I have some dresses made up in that blue silk.” The dressmaker discreetly led Lily out of sight of the couple.
As Lily emerged from the dressing r
oom a few minutes later, in a fitted gown with a low neckline currently in fashion, she was glad that James had taken her to buy new dresses. Her current wardrobe had been purchased four years ago when she was fifteen and was far too girlish for a woman almost twenty.
“Lily, it is positively gorgeous! My god, when did you become so stunning!” Elise gushed as she saw the figure Lily posed in the mirror.
Lily looked at her reflection and was taken aback by what she saw. The women in the shop had piled her honey colored hair on top of her head and let a few tendrils fall around her face. The natural curls complimented her high cheek bones and full lips. The color of the dress accentuated the shade of her eyes and made their exotic slant even more noticeable. The dress hugged her curves and made her waist appear non-existent compared to her hips and bosom. She felt like she was seeing herself for the first time.
James positively scowled and turned to his wife. “I have changed my mind. We’re not buying these for Lily, men will be crawling over themselves…”
“Too late.” Elise cut him off. “This gorgeous creature is about to be unleashed on Boston society. God help them all!”
Their purchasing done, the Carter’s left the dress shop to return to their Commonwealth Avenue home. James stepped away to retrieve their carriage while Elise and Lily waited.
Lily took a deep breath of the fresh spring air and looked around. The dressmaker had a dress that fit her almost perfectly and had allowed her to wear it out of the shop. It felt wonderful to be in new clothing. A nearby dogwood was putting out its blooms. By the beginning of May large flowers would cover the tree. It would be wonderful to see greenery again after a long cold winter in Maine. It was wonderful to be in Boston with all the promise a new season held. Could it possibly hold romance for her? Lily was so caught up that she did not notice the two boys or the ball that were heading straight for her.
“Toby, look out!” A deep voice pulled her out of her reverie but not in time. A boy of four or five came barreling into her, causing her to lose her balance. As she tried to right herself, she took a step back. Unfortunately, Elise had set down the hat boxes there and she tripped, tumbling to the ground. She felt her head bang an iron fence behind her and pain shot through her body. She saw stars but somehow maintained consciousness.
“Toby! What did I tell you about running when you’re not looking.” She heard a sharp male voice.
“I was looking. I was looking at the ball.” The little boy responded. If her head hadn’t been swimming, she would have laughed.
“Are you all right?” His deep voice pierced through her haze but it took Lily a moment to realize that the question had been directed at her. As she forced her eyes to focus she saw Elise bent down above her. Next to her was the boy who had run into her a moment before. He looked very frightened. She tried to speak but somehow couldn’t form the words.
“It’s all right. Don’t try to talk, just rest for a second.” Lily turned to the baritone voice that was coming from her right. Her breath stopped in her throat. Above her was the most gorgeous man she had ever met, Eric Sampson. She had met Eric four years earlier during her first official season in Boston.
He had been, and still was, the most handsome man she had ever laid eyes on. When they were introduced, Lily had blushed and stuttered through their introduction. It had been exhilarating an embarrassing all in the same moment.
Strong hands reached down and slid under her back, bringing Lily sharply back to the present. Shivers raced up and down her spine that had nothing to do with her fall. One look into the dark pools of his eyes made her tingle all over. He had wavy dark hair, a straight nose and strong jaw. His lips were full and seemed to curve in the smallest of smiles. Eric’s broad shoulders and muscular body made him look as though he spent his time at sea rather than behind a desk. His muscles rippled underneath her. Desire crackled through Lily like lightening but she closed her eyes to gain control and block out his face. Eric Sampson had been and still was married.
His wife Caitlin was everything that Lily as not. Tall with dark red hair, Caitlin had a commanding physical presence. To a shy girl of fifteen Eric’s wife had seemed to know everyone. Caitlin subtly flirted with the men and conspired with the women. That season had been Lily’s first lessons in love and heartbreak.
Eric gently lifted her into the sitting position Lily swallowed hard and forced the butterflies in her stomach down. How could she still react this way after four years? She looked at the only man she had ever desired in her life. He seemed older or harder. She wasn’t sure what it was but he looked different. No less attractive, but not the rake she had met. As she was about to speak, Toby jumped in.
“I’m real sorry I ran into you like that,” he looked down at the ground.
Lily glanced at Eric’s son. He was the spitting image of his father at five years old. Large dark eyes sparkled from under unruly waves of dark hair. His nose was more upturned than his father’s, the only hint of his mother. He was sure to break hearts. Lily’s melted instantly. She could not stand to see this little boy look so sad over an accident.
“Apology accepted. Accidents happen to everyone.” She smiled at him as he looked at her in surprise.
“Do you mean it?” He returned her smile, looking relieved.
“Don’t look too happy, Toby. I have not forgiven you and you will be in trouble when we get home.” Eric spoke sternly to his son but he turned and smiled his thanks to her.
“Are you ready to get to your feet?” Eric once again looked at Lily and the butterflies flew up in her chest but she nodded her head. He slowly lifted her from the ground as if she weighed no more than a feather and lightly set her on her feet. She felt slightly dizzy but was afraid to speak. What was happening to her?
As he removed his hands, she began to sway and he once again placed his arms around her, pulling her closer to steady her. She felt hot and her body was tingling everywhere it was touching his, which only made her head swim more. She could not help herself, she tilted her head back and looked up into his handsome face.
Recognition and what Lily thought might be desire crossed over Eric’s face as he looked down at her and Lily almost forgot to breath. She felt her arms traveling up around his neck and she had no power to stop them. His face seemed to be moving closer to hers, slowly but surely, and Lily felt her eyes flutter closed.
“What the devil is going on here?” An angry voice interrupted the moment and Eric’s head snapped up. Lily turned to see her brother striding toward them.
James reached the group on the sidewalk. His face was set in hard lines, fists clenched at his sides. “I knew I should not have allowed you to buy those dresses. Five minutes in one of them—”
“James, calm down.” Elise stepped between James and Eric. “Lily fell and hit her head. This man was only helping her.”
James stopped abruptly. His look turned from anger to concern. “Are you all right? Should I call a doctor?”
“I’m fine. Just a little dizzy.” Lily tried to speak normally but Eric was still holding her and she was having trouble concentrating.
“Perhaps we should see if you can stand on your own now.” Eric slowly let her go. Even in her dizziness she thought she felt his fingers graze down her back. Lily managed to steady herself. She still felt off balance but now that she wasn’t so close to Eric she felt like she could breathe again. A slow throb was building in the back of her head and working its way to her temples.
“Thank you for your help. We are in your debt. I must apologize for my outburst…” James shook Eric’s hand.
“No need for apologies. I understand completely,” Eric replied.
“I’m James Carter, this is my wife Elise and my sister Lillian.” Lily blinked. How could her brother not recognize the man she dreamed of so often?
“Eric Sampson, I believe we have met. This is my son Toby. I am afraid that I can take no such offer since it was my son that knocked her over in the first place. Your sister was
most gracious. I would like to make this up to you in some way.”
“Eric Sampson? Of course. You own a few of our ships.” James seemed delighted now, his anger completely forgotten. Lily could have rolled her eyes. Lately James thought of little else besides his ship building business. It was one of the reasons her family had travelled to Boston for this season.
“Your ships were of excellent quality. We are still using them. I have been planning on contacting you for a new contract. Would you consider coming to my home this Friday for dinner? I would like to show Miss Carter my gratitude and perhaps discuss some business with you.” Eric smiled and Lily felt her head throb again.
James smiled back, looking ecstatic. “We would be delighted. Tell your wife we look forward to seeing her again as well.”
“Thank you for the thought but my wife passed away two years ago.” Eric looked at his feet, his face tightening.
“How horrible,” Elise murmured.
Lily, who had been focusing all of her energy on remaining standing, looked up suddenly. The movement caused the blood to rush from her head the world begin to go dark. She tried to grab at air but she couldn’t seem to balance. For the second time in minutes, she fell to the ground.
Lily opened her eyes to the sight of blue sky before her and tried to figure out why on earth she would be looking at the sky in the middle of the day. Slowly, the sounds around her began to penetrate her mind.
“Lily…Lily, can you hear me?” Lily turned to see the faces of her brother and sister-in-law staring down at her.
“What?” Confusion clouded her mind.
“James, I will get her into a hired carriage, you go fetch the doctor with ours. She must have hit her head worse than we thought.”