by Jane Charles
She laughed as Eloise held up the book. “Now we read.”
The afternoon could not have been more prefect. Sequestered with her children, they read and talked and the children shared with her why this was so important. Tristan had told them it was what Elaina had wanted for them. Then they asked questions, based on other stories Tristan had told them.
He’d kept her alive for her children. She wasn’t some person who had brought them into the world and disappeared. A mother with simply a name but nothing tethering her to the family. She was kept alive in memories so that Jonas and Eloise would know her even if she remained lost.
The knowledge that he would do so, thawed some of her anger. It would have been so easy to put her away, acknowledge that she had existed, but he hadn’t needed to go beyond that. Many wouldn’t. In fact, she had a few friends who had lost a parent when they were younger, but the family didn’t speak of them, almost as if they hadn’t existed, so the child knew little of the person who mothered or fathered them. That was not the case with Tristan, he had made certain his children knew all that they could about her. Had he not, these two wonderful children might not have been near as welcoming. Instead, it was if they’d been waiting for her to become unlost, a present to be delivered.
When it came time for Eloise to rest, Elaina didn’t wish to leave the folly, and her children were just as reluctant, but they couldn’t stay out here forever, no matter how much she wished it.
As she stood and gathered the children, Tristan emerged through the trees.
“It is time for Eloise to rest,” he offered sheepishly, not looking at Elaina. “Her maid didn’t wish to disturb you, and wasn’t certain if she should, so I volunteered.”
“We were just returning,” she offered and realized that the anger she’d held earlier was gone.
This man had loved her. He’d kept her alive for their children. He’d seen that all that she wanted for them had come true. He’d shown more patience in these past days than she thought possible for anyone to possess.
He loved her and had made decisions on what he thought was best. Right or wrong, everything he’d done had come from wanting to care for her.
And, she remembered her love for him. It swelled in her heart as so many memories from when they’d married to that awful fight flitted through her mind. No matter the disagreement, or the happiness, she’d remained in love with Tristan and that love was as strong as it had ever been.
“I’ll take her back,” Jonas announced then slipped his hand into Eloise’s.
“Thank you, Son.”
As the two ran off, disappearing among the flowers, Elaina remained, staring at Tristan, seeing him through the eyes of someone who remembered him. Truly remembered everything about him for the first time. His brown eyes watched her, filled with pain, and fear.
“Can I explain?” he asked after a moment.
Perhaps his reasoning would cause her anger to return, but he deserved to be heard. Elaina nodded and stepped back into the folly.
Tristan followed and took a deep breath. “The decision not to mention the children was not made lightly,” he began. “They were your world. As soon as Jonas was born, I’m fairly certain I was pushed aside.” He smiled. “Then along came Eloise, and I was pushed further away.”
“I’m certain it wasn’t so bad,” she said, but she recalled his teasing that if they had any more children, he’d never have her attention again. It was a comment that had been made in fun and teasing.
“After you returned, you’d made a comment that a woman would know if she had children. I had to agree. I couldn’t for the life of me understand how you’d forgotten the most important people in the world to you. I feared that if you discovered that you’d forgotten your own children, that it would crush you. Take you to a point of no return, and that is what I feared.” He sat beside Elaina and took her hands. “Each day it was a war within myself of what I could tell you and what I feared telling you and what your reaction might be.”
She knew that. In her heart of hearts, she knew and looking back, she could see his struggle.
“I didn’t always agree with Xavier, as you know, or I would have taken your journals away.”
She nodded.
“It was the children that scared me the most. You were so adamant that there were none, I feared what it would do to you when you learned.” He turned more fully toward her. “Had I known what your reaction would be, when you did first remember, I would have told you before. I swear to God, had I known, I would have saved you that pain of yesterday.”
Tears came to her eyes again. “I know, Tristan.”
“Am I forgiven?” The pleading in his brown eyes was near her undoing.
“Yes. Your omission didn’t come from being cruel, or wanting to control, but from your heart. How can I remain angry?”
He blew out a sigh as if the weight of the world had been lifted from him “I’ve missed you. I’ve missed you knowing me.”
“I think I’ve missed you as well.” A small smile pulled at her lips. She had missed him and the children, without realizing that was what was missing. The hole that needed to be filled. It wasn’t just the lack of memories, but this feeling, of being loved.
He leaned back and opened his arms. Elaina went to him, laying her head on his chest. His arms came around her.
“A chest to rest my head on and strong arms to hold me,” she whispered. It’s what she had missed. It’s what she wanted. It’s the one thing she’d longed for when she had decided to marry Clive. Except, it wasn’t Clive’s arms or chest she wanted. It was Tristan’s and now, she was truly home.
Epilogue
Elaina stood at the rail of the ship and watched as they drew closer to Alderney. Beside her was Tristan and they each held a child.
Their reunion had not been easy. Despite the full return of her memories, there had still been a distance between Elaina and her husband. For three years they had lived separate lives and despite the love they shared, it was weeks before their marriage became real and they enjoyed the intimacy that had been so much a part of their lives before she’d sailed to France. Since, she’d not slept in her own chamber, but as she had always wished, with her head on her husband’s chest, his arms around her. And, never would she travel without him again. At least, she wouldn’t sail without Tristan by her side.
Once again, she sailed on a merchant ship. This time it was owned by Harrison. He and Clive had entered into a business arrangement after Elaina had been returned to her family. Though Elaina suspected that smuggling was still involved, she’d not asked, as she didn’t care to know. However, seeing Clive again brought a bit of trepidation. But, she wasn’t returning to see him. No, she wanted to show Tristan where she’d lived when she was lost.
However, the reunion with Clive was going to arrive sooner than she expected.
“Who is that?” Tristan asked as the ship began to dock. “He’s watching us.”
That was Clive, his eyes shielded against the sun, but standing and watching their approach.
He had claimed to have loved her and Elaina hoped that he realized that in truth, he had not.
“Clive,” she finally whispered.
Tristan just nodded and she wasn’t certain how her husband would feel coming face to face with Elaina’s previous betrothed.
A woman called and Clive turned and an instant later, his face burst into a smile, heartfelt and full, the likes of which she’d never seen on him before as he watched a woman approach. She practically ran to him and Clive held out his hand to her then pointed to the ship. Only then did Elaina recognize the woman to be Miss Caroline Renard. They’d been friends, but not close. She lived on the other side of the island and had visited with Rebecca often. Were she and Clive a match?
Caroline shaded her eyes and looked toward them and then waved.
“Do you know them, mama?” Jonas asked.
“Yes. I know a number of people who make Alderney their home.”
Soon they were able to disembark. Harrison greeted Clive first, then Caroline. Elaina held back, not certain how to approach the couple. It had been practically on the eve of her wedding to Clive that Elaina had learned that she was already married.
He felt none of the discomfort and came forward, still grinning. “Elaina, it is good to see you.”
“You as well, Clive,” she answered, thankful that he apparently held no ill-will.
Then she introduced Tristan and her children. He in turn, introduced Caroline as his betrothed, much to Elaina’s surprise.
“I’m to take you to Rebecca’s and she anxiously awaits your arrival,” he teased.
“I can’t wait to see her,” Elaina responded with enthusiasm.
“My men will retrieve your trunks, and my carriage awaits.”
“We aren’t going to walk?” It really wasn’t so far.
“I thought that now you were a marchioness that you’d wish to ride,” he teased.
Clive was always comfortable. That is why she’d nearly married him. But comfortable was not love. Tristan was love.
She glanced down at her children. While the walk would be easy for her, they would tire. “Perhaps we should ride,” she finally said. “But, not on account of my title.”
As the others walked ahead, Elaina fell back, alone with Clive. It was important that she speak with him in private. “You are betrothed?”
“Caroline was here, under my nose the entire time.” He laughed and shook his head. “After you left, I felt the loss because I did care, but neither of us are going to fool the other into thinking it was a grand love.” Yet, he had told her that he loved her.
“I did love you Elaina, and we were a good pair, comfortable and friendly.”
“That’s true.” She’d never been able to tell Clive that she loved him.
“I didn’t want to be alone any longer and neither did you.”
She nodded.
“After you were gone, I put my mind to my work, and then one day, Caroline walked past, the sun caught her golden hair, she smiled, and my heart stopped.” Again, he shook his head. “I’ve known her for years, but there was something about that day, something about her, and I called on her.”
“I assume it went well,” Elaina teased.
“I fell in love.” He blushed with those words. “We would have been happy, and by no means do I mean to be hurtful, but I am truly happy that Harrison arrived when he did or the two of us would have made a grave mistake.”
“Not only because I was already married?”
“We would have been denied the loves that we are both meant to have.”
Elaina stared up at him and her heart warmed. “I am happy for you Clive. I truly am, and grateful to call you friend.”
“I as well, Elaina. I as well.”
The fear Tristan possessed of Elaina seeing her former betrothed once again settled once he observed their interaction. Clive was a friend and Elaina did care for him, but there were no romantic emotions involved. Clive was in love with Caroline and she him, with no animosity toward Elaina, and the four of them fell into a companionable conversation as they traveled to the home Elaina had lived in for three years. He understood why she’d almost married Clive, but no jealousy lingered. How could there be when Elaina hadn’t been in love. And Tristan was grateful to finally meet the man he’d wondered about ever since he’d heard of the betrothal and was happy to put his fears to rest.
As the carriage drove up to a manor, a woman ran out, arms open. “Elaina,” she cried.
Elaina barely waited for the carriage to pull to a stop before she pushed the door open, jumped and ran to her friend. The two embraced for the longest time before they pulled back, both wiping tears.
Behind her, a gentleman stood, Colonel Pettinger, Rebecca’s husband. He smiled at the two women, then greeted Elaina, also with a hug, when the two women parted.
In a sense, his wife had come home. Not the same home she shared with Tristan and their children, but a home nonetheless.
As he stepped from the carriage, then lifted his children out and placed them on the ground, Rebecca brightened and sank down to their eye level.
“They are so precious, Elaina.”
“Yes, they are,” his wife answered.
“I’ve asked cook to make your favorite biscuits, Elaina. Shall we take the children inside and see if they like them as well?”
“If they don’t, I’ll probably eat them all.” She grinned back at Tristan. “My appetite of late has been quite insatiable.” She smoothed a hand over her stomach. Only Tristan knew that it no longer lay flat and that in no time, even the fashions of the day would not be able to hide that Elaina was carrying their third child.
“Elaina!” Rebecca gasped. “Are you saying…?” She glanced down to where Elaina’s hand rested on her abdomen.
“Yes and I couldn’t be happier.”
The two women linked arms and started for the entrance to the manor and in that moment, Tristan knew that while this might be his first visit to Alderney, it would not be the last. This manor, this island and these people were as much a part of Elaina as her family in England, and he’d never considered keeping them from her. Further, he was grateful, beyond words, for what they’d done. They’d kept Elaina safe until she could finally come back to him.
Dear Readers,
Thank you for reading THE FORGOTTEN MARQUESS, the first book in the Other Trents series. This is a spinoff of both the Tenacious Trents and the Heart to the Scot series, with many of the characters being first introduced in Lady Admired (Tenacious Trents) and Kissing the Lass (Scot to the Heart).
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RECOMMEND IT – If you enjoyed this book, please recommend it for reading and let them know that there is more of the Tenacious Trents to come, and soon.
If you’ve not had a chance to read the Scot to the Heart series, the first chapter of Kissing the Lass follows.
EXCERPT – KISSING THE LASS
(Book #2 of the Scot to the Heart Series)
© Copyright 2018 – Jane Charles
All Rights Reserved
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CHAPTER ONE
Anagburn Manor, Bonnybridge, Scotland - 1815
Happiness and melancholy lingered within Arabella MacGregor’s heart. Oh, she was overjoyed that Uncle Aiden had fallen in love and married Rose, the former Dowager Countess of Bentley. However, as much as Arabella was enjoying her uncle and new aunt’s wedding celebration, her disappointment lay in the fact that none of the bachelors in attendance had given her any further consideration or attention beyond a polite greeting when they arrived.
Why didn’t any of them wish to engage her in conversation in the manner in which Camden Breckenridge was conversing with Rhona Murry? They were so focused on each other that they barely acknowledged that anyone else was present? Arabella wasn’t so unattractive, was she? Or was Uncle Aiden correct in that no man would be interested in her because she preferred golfing and falcons to any other genteel entertainments?
Well, if that was the case, she’d rather do without those men anyway. Besides, falcons were much preferable to be around. They didn’t order her about.
“Who is that?” Sheena, her younger cousin, asked as she reached Arabella.
Arabella glanced ar
ound. “Who is who?”
“The man who just arrived. He’s speakin’ with Davina.” Sheena pointed to her older sister who was standing at the entrance leading from the ballroom to the terrace.
Goodness. She’d thought Camden was handsome, but the man who stood with Davina put every other fellow at the wedding to shame.
“I wonder where Davina is takin’ him?” Sheena asked after the two disappeared inside.
“Perhaps he’s lost and in need of direction.” Though Arabella hoped he wouldn’t leave too soon.
“Possibly,” Sheena agreed thoughtfully. “Though a servant could have provided any direction and wouldna require the attention of my sister.” At that, Sheena let out a sigh. “I’m not enjoyin’ myself as much as I enjoyed the ball.”
“Neither am I,” Arabella admitted.
“Why doona the men ask us to dance? We were barely without a partner at the ball, but not one man has asked me today.”
A few weeks ago, Uncle Aiden had held a ball with the intention of making matches for his nieces. Though Arabella and Sheena had danced nearly every set, not one man had come to call in the days that followed.
Arabella glanced around at their guests and frowned. “Apparently Uncle Aiden’s plans did work out well, just not for us. Did ye note how many of the bachelors appear to be courtin’ other lasses.”
“Aye,” Sheena agreed with disappointment. “Perhaps we’ll find someone in London.”
Now that the former Rose Trent was married to Uncle Aiden, their new aunt intended to take Arabella, along with her cousins, Sheena and Davina to London next season. As thrilling as the holiday might sound, and as much as she wished to visit London, Arabella did not want to end up with an English husband. “Why must it be London?” Arabella found herself asking.
Sheena tilted her head and stared at Arabella as if she were daft. “It’s where the Season is held.”