The Lady and the Earl (Seabrook Family Saga)

by Donovan, Christine

  “Easy, I have you,” he told her. “Stay still. Don’t move unless you want to take a swim.”

  William moved from beneath Lady Marissa and helped Wentworth and Sebastian push the other boat away from theirs, making their boat stable again. They were taking on water in a slow trickle. Wentworth barked out orders to several servants to plug the hole. No more time to think about the leak, as screams from the water demanded their attention. Many people struggled in the water trying to stay afloat, but their clothing made it difficult.

  “Amelia!” William screamed at the top of his lungs as he scanned the water looking for her.

  William quickly tried to figure out who was missing. Amelia, Spencer, Yarmouth, Trenton, and Bella were no longer on board. Dear God, please save them. Wentworth and Sebastian jumped along with William into the cool, muddy water. It appeared their boat and the one that hit them were not the only ones having difficulties.

  The confusion had caused several boats to capsize, and many people fought to stay afloat in the water, making their rescue more difficult.

  “Amelia!” William screamed again as he attempted to tread water in the cool, smelly river. He thought he heard her answer him, but it proved difficult to tell. Numerous people screamed in panic as occupants of other boats tried to pluck them out of the water to safety. William prayed someone had done the same for Amelia.

  “Spencer!” he bellowed just as someone kicked him in the face. William went under, inhaling the disgusting water. He fought to surface and came up coughing and gagging. Had Spencer heard him? Then he witnessed Spencer and Bella being hauled aboard a large boat. At least he prayed his eyes didn’t deceive him.

  “Amelia!” he yelled again. But too many screams pierced the air around him. She would never hear him. He thought he caught a glimpse of Yarmouth being pulled up onto a boat. William’s lungs burned and his arms and legs tired, but he would not leave the water until he found his wife.

  “Oh God,” he mumbled, “please don’t take her from me.”

  “Bridgeton.” William turned around in the water to see Wentworth helping a lady, unfamiliar from this angle, aboard their boat. His heart soared, until he realized the drenched woman was indeed a stranger.

  His heart sank at Wentworth’s next words.

  “I can’t find Amelia,” Wentworth shouted.

  William used what little energy he had left and swam around, stopping at every nearby boat, seeking his wife. He did indeed find Spencer and Bella, soaking wet and shivering upon the Marquess of Newbury’s boat. He also found Yarmouth on another boat, but no sign of Trenton and Amelia. Eventually, with a heavy heart, tears burning his throat and eyes, William swam back to their boat. Wentworth and Sebastian hauled him aboard. Right after William hit the wet floor of the boat with a loud thud, someone thrust a glass of wine into his trembling hands.

  He downed it in one gulp, choking and gasping for air. Chills racked his body from head to toe. “Where is she?”

  ***

  Amelia’s eyes widened in horror as she tumbled over William and hit the murky Thames with a splash. How she managed to keep her mouth shut and not inhale large gulps of water she did not know. Immediately her body became tangled up with another woman’s, their skirts and pelisses making it difficult to separate and stay afloat. An arm came out of nowhere, curled around her waist, and pulled her away from the woman and her boat.

  She tried not to struggle, knowing the person was trying to help her, but it proved difficult to fight the panic that had taken control.

  “Easy Countess, I have you,” said her savior.

  At least she thought he was her savior, except something about the way he spoke, had her panicking again. She tried and tried to twist around in the water to see who held her. The more she tried, the tighter the man’s grip became until she fought to take air into her lungs. Heart pounding, body shivering, she stared in terror as he swam, pulling her farther and farther away from all the boats. Didn’t someone see them? Several times her head went under water and she came up gasping for air.

  “Why are you doing this?” she yelled, knowing this time he heard her.

  “Come now, Countess, you know why. I need to finish what I started. How convenient someone rammed our boat. Alas, too bad I can’t finish it right here and now. I can’t risk the chance of being seen. I must get us to shore.” The voice? The voice! She knew the voice. Sir Phillip Trenton.

  The realization he had tried to kill her before, seized her heart. That meant he would complete it now. And she was helpless and at his mercy. Or was she? She kicked her legs and swung out with her arms, trying to hurt Trenton any way she could. For a brief moment he let go of her. Hope soared inside her.

  It vanished as large hands painfully grasped her head and shoved her beneath the water. Amelia, eyes wide, saw nothing in the dirty water. Her mouth was open and she silently screamed, causing water to enter her lungs. Time was suspended.

  Visions flashed in her mind of the day Olivia entered the world, seeing her daughter’s beautiful face for the first time. The love bursting in her heart for the precious child Captain Rycroft gifted her with. Flashes of herself talking and laughing with Bridgeton at their special stream, the first kiss they shared, and how he had made her body come alive for the first time since her Captain’s death.

  Memories of her family sitting in the morning room, smiling and sharing stories about the previous night’s ball, shredded her heart. Dizzy, she was so dizzy and weak. Her eyes still open, she witnessed a bright light in the distance. She fought the pull of the light. She wasn’t ready to die. No matter how much she fought it, the light found her. It spilled over her and wrapped her inside its warm cocoon. It whispered her name.

  “Amelia.”

  CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE

  William sat at Amelia’s bedside the whole night praying she awoke. Fear of nightmares kept him awake. Visions of Trenton, holding Amelia’s head beneath the water, would forever haunt him. Rescuing her lifeless body from Trenton’s deathly clutches would forever be imbedded in his mind. He would never let her out of his sight again as long as they lived.

  For twelve years William lived with the pain of Geoffrey’s and Katherine’s death.

  For twelve years he didn’t care whether he lived or died.

  For twelve years he never believed he would have a second chance at love and happiness.

  He had the chance now and he would never take it for granted. He would shower Amelia with all the love he had in his heart. His heart ached as he watched Amelia sleep, wondering if she would ever remember him. If she never remembered their pervious time together, never remembered the love she once had for him, would they survive? He believed they would because his love for her would encircle both of them and sustain them forever.

  ***

  “What happened?” Once again Amelia struggled with useless arms to push herself up in bed. Multiple hands fluffed up her pillows and assisted her in sitting up. Her eyes focused on all the somber faces staring back at her. Had she not experienced this similar situation not too long ago?

  Only this time her husband, worry in his eyes, stood in the room. Her memory had returned to her during her struggle in the water with Trenton. She never thought she would have the chance to tell William she remembered him and loved him.

  Now she had that chance.

  “Amelia.” William pulled a chair close to her bed and grabbed her hand. The warmth from his large hand traveled up her arm. “What do you remember?” His deep voice wrapped her in a blanket of soothing comfort.

  “Everything,” she said softly.

  “Tell us about the time down at the stream,” her brother Wentworth urged.

  “I took a stroll down to the stream while William worked on estate accounts and Olivia napped.” Her body convulsed. “I met Sir Phillip Trenton there. He said he had to kill me because you did not deserve happiness—something about you stealing Katherine from him. He wanted you to hang for killing me. He said Wentworth would
see to it.”

  Tears streamed down her cheeks. She didn’t bother wiping them away. She wanted to believe her tears were cleansing her, ridding her of the terrible memories with Trenton.

  “What about the day on the River Thames?” William asked with pain in his eyes.

  “I remember we were all in a boat for the opening of Waterloo Bridge. I fell in the water.”

  William squeezed her hand. “Yes. That is correct. What else?”

  “I struggled with Sir Phillip. He said he had to finish what he started. I remember the pull and warmth of a bright light. I think I died. How am I alive?”

  “Would you mind giving us some privacy?” William said to her family. Everyone scattered from the room. The weight of her husband sitting in bed next to her dented the mattress. His strong arms wrapped around her waist and pulled her close. “I need to hold you. Feel for myself you are alive and well.”

  “How was I saved?” Amelia whispered.

  “Wentworth, Sebastian, and I searched for you in the water. After what seemed like hours they hauled me aboard so we could regain our strength and go back in. We did. Once all the other people were out of the water we could see clearly. What I saw froze my blood and had me in such a rage I found the strength I needed. The three of us swam as fast and hard as we could to reach you. Trenton saw us. That was when he pushed your head underwater.”

  Amelia watched the eyes of her beloved husband fill with tears as he hesitated.

  “I reached you first. You were unconscious, barely breathing. Your heartbeat weak, but you were alive. Trenton is in Newgate awaiting a hanging. He confessed to the crimes of killing Geoffrey and Katherine and attempting to murder you. He also admitted to orchestrating the carriage accident that killed his parents.”

  “How horrible,” Amelia said, snuggling down to rest her head on her husband’s chest. “At least it is over.”

  “I have never been so terrified in all my life. I thought I’d lost you this time,” William said as he kissed the top of her head.

  “When my memory returned I thought I would never get the chance to tell you how much I love you.”

  Tilting her head up, she stared into the most beautiful pale blues eyes God ever made and said, “I love you, William.”

  “I love you.” William brushed her lips with his. “Thank you for loving me. I promise you, from now on our life will be boring and tedious. Just you, me, and our daughter living in the country, idling the time away with walks, picnics, and visits from family. And—God willing––we’ll be blessed with more children to love.”

  Amelia kissed her husband. Tears clogged her throat and it was impossible to speak. He deepened the kiss by sweeping his tongue inside her mouth. She moaned and joined her tongue with his, tasting his love. How she’d missed this.

  Breathless and dizzy, she pulled away and rested her head against his heart. The steady beat soothed her, reminded her of how, when they made love, their hearts beat as one.

  Seconds, minutes, hours, or even days could have gone by as everything seemed to slow. All that mattered were her husband’s arms holding her safe. She never, ever wanted to leave. “William?”

  “Yes, my love.”

  “Do you think…That is, I wondered…?” Amelia stroked her husband’s chest and felt his body pulsate beneath her palm.

  “Say no more,” he answered, pulling her down on the bed and covering her body with his. His hands caressed her. “Say no more. It feels as though I have waited a lifetime for this.”

  “Just think,” she murmured as she placed feather-light kisses down his neck. “We have a lifetime ahead of us to do just this.”

  “Indeed. And if you’ll be quiet and kiss me we can start.”

  Female giggles echoed around the room, followed by a long, deep sigh.

  EPILOGUE

  ONE MONTH LATER

  “I’m nervous,” Amelia said to William as they waited in the drawing room for their guests.

  “Don’t be,” William reassured her. “Lady Dartmouth stated in her letter that she can’t wait to meet her granddaughter.”

  “Yes, that is what she wrote, but does she really mean it?” Amelia didn’t know why she was so worried about what Daniel’s mother thought. All that mattered was Olivia.

  She had no more time to worry as the butler’s prim voice announced their guests.

  Daniel’s mother had not traveled alone. Both her sons and her daughter accompanied her.

  “Lord and Lady Bridgeton, thank you for inviting us today,” the Dowager Marchioness of Dartmouth greeted her warmly.

  “Please sit down, and make yourselves comfortable after your long travels,” William said as a servant brought in the tea tray.

  “Thank you,” Lady Dartmouth replied.

  “I also want to thank you, Lord and Lady Bridgeton,” the Marquess of Dartmouth, Daniel’s older brother said. “You have no idea how happy our family is to hear the news of Daniel’s daughter. We feel blessed you decided to share the news with us. And never fear your secret is safe.”

  “Thank you. Bridgeton and I only want to do what is right for Olivia. And that is for her to know Daniel’s family,” Amelia said as the door opened. The nurse had arrived carrying Olivia.

  “Oh, dear,” Lady Dartmouth said as her eyes filled with tears. “She is lovely. She takes after you, Lady Bridgeton, but she also has my son’s eyes.”

  “Yes, she does.” Amelia could not keep her voice from trembling. “I remember Daniel every time I look into them.”

  William reached over and squeezed her hand in silent support. It always amazed her that William felt no jealousy over her continued loving memory of Daniel. Her husband was truly a wonderful man.

  And he proved it again later that evening, after Daniel’s family had retired to their rooms and she found herself crying. Not a word was spoken between them. No need of them. William wrapped his loving and safe arms around her and held her tight. Because of her husband’s love and support, Amelia knew she could face any challenges their future brought. With William’s love, she would never feel alone again.

  THE END

  ABOUT THE AUTHOR

  Christine Donovan lives on the Southeast Coast of Massachusetts with her husband, four sons and four cats. When she is not writing or reading, she is either painting or gardening. Visit her at www.christinedonovanorg.weebly.com

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  Previous works by Christine Donovan

  THE RELUCTANT DUKE

  A Seabrook Family Saga Book I

  Available now

  http://www.amazon.com/The-Reluctant-Duke-ebook/dp/B009QNY9FO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1370047078&sr=8-1&keywords=the+reluctant+duke

  Thomas Seabrook, the penniless Duke of Wentworth, walks into White’s for night cap. He leaves no longer in need of coin. In fact, he has become a wealthy man and owner of Hamilton Whaling Industries of New Bedford, Massachusetts and guardian of a seventeen-year-old girl. Thomas travels to Boston intent of bring his ward back and marrying her off to the first eligible gentleman who requests her hand. Except the first gentleman to ask for her, is his own brother Sebastian. Thomas refuses, because bloody hell, he wants her for himself.

  Emma Hamilton is not happy with her new situation. Her papa brought her up to be independent and assertive. How dare this stranger, this moody noble, dictate what she can do and not do? When she finds herself thrown into a London season, being introduced from one ge
ntleman to another, looking for a husband, she realizes only the duke will do. How can she break through the duke’s hard exterior and find the loving, caring gentleman she knows he hides from everyone.

  Coming Soon

  THE LADY MUST CHOOSE

  By Christine Donovan

  Book Three in the Seabrook Family Saga

  England 1817

  The sound of water lapping the side of the boat, along with the constant swaying, had Lady Isabella Seabrook wishing she could forget the events of the day. But really, how could she, when she sat on the floor of the Marquess of Newbury’s boat in soaking wet clothing. She was not the only other person the boat owner saved from the filthy Thames. Her river-companion sat close beside her.

  “Mr. Spencer, kindly remove your arms from around my waist,” Bella forced through chattering teeth.

  “Forgive me. I didn’t want to let you go. Afraid I would lose you,” Mr. Spencer said through his teeth, which chattered along with hers. Mr. Spencer was cousin to the Earl of Bridgeton, whom Bella’s sister, Amelia, recently married.

  “I am not yours to lose.”

  “I gentleman can dream, can he not?”

  Coming Soon

  BLACKJACK

  By Christine Donovan

  The first book in a new Contemporary Series

  Groping the wall blindly, hoping to steady his rubbery legs, Cole Jackson swore as he realized he was totally wasted. The hotel hallway seemed to sway violently like a ship caught in a serious gale.

  “Shit,” he yelled as he collapsed to one knee then slowly raised himself up and continued shuffling toward the room he shared with his wife, Lindsey.

  From a distant haze, voices pummeled through the buzz surrounding his brain. Faces blurred, and flashed in and out and around the black spots plaguing his eyesight.