“Show him to the drawing room, Green,” Richard replied. “Who did you say it was?”
“Lord Crenshaw, sir.”
Richard pushed back his chair and left the room in determination. Despite realising that there might be more to Crenshaw’s actions than first met the eye, he could not like the man who had caused Belinda so much heartache.
“Crenshaw,” Richard said as he entered the drawing room. His curt tone made his present mood obvious.
“Colonel Fitzwilliam,” Crenshaw said and presented an elegant leg.
“Please, sit. Do you desire tea? Or perhaps something more fortifying?” Richard went to the sideboard and poured himself a glass of port. Crenshaw requested one as well.
Upon sitting, Richard glared at his beloved’s father, willing him into conversation.
“You will take care of her?” Crenshaw said at last.
“Until my last breath,” Richard vowed.
“Which may not be long,” the Earl said with an edge.
Apparently, his dislike of Richard in service had been legitimate. He would not bother to explain his planned resignation. “I will make arrangements to see after her in the event of my demise. As any man of honour would do.” Richard punctuated his last sentence with another hard glare.
“I can explain,” his lordship held up his hands to ward off Richard’s silent rebuke.
“You need not explain to me. Belinda is the one you have wounded.”
“How much does she know?”
“Nearly everything I do,” Richard answered.
“Nearly?”
Richard winced. He had not meant to say so much. “I have recently considered the connection of everything. I await only proof from my brother before I inform Belinda.”
“What do you wish to know? I will save your brother the trouble as he has already investigated me once.”
“My only question now is why? What set this chain of events off?”
“We are men of the world,” Crenshaw said and then took a sip of wine. “You may understand, I do not love my wife.”
Unease settled around Richard. He knew it was the case for most marriages, but he always hated to hear of it… and the confessions that typically followed.
“I certainly value her, and over time we have learned to esteem one another. Years ago when the marriage was new, such arrangement could not satisfy all of my yearnings. Like many of our class, I had a mistress. Even after we went separate ways, I took care of our child. My son.”
A shudder racked through Crenshaw’s frame, and he grew silent as he attempted to gain control of his emotions. “He had few options of a respectable profession considering his illegitimacy. I wished to do more but could not. I purchased a lieutenancy for him. He fell in battle in Spain a few months ago. After his death, I gambled more and more as a distraction. Your Mr. Wickham was a protégé, of sorts, for the Duke of Somerset and knew about my debts.”
The Earl said no more nor was more needed. Richard understood the depression of losing a child — one he already felt guilt over — could lead a man to such behaviour. “Does your wife know?”
Crenshaw tugged at his cravat. “A gentleman’s concerns are his own.”
“You have ruined your family. You owe them an explanation.”
“I will think on it,” Crenshaw said. “I came to you as a courtesy.”
The Earl bowed and left. Despite his sad story, Richard could see the man came only to ease his own conscience but was not ready to slay his pride. He came to Richard just because he was exposed and did not wish to be disliked.
Blowing out a breath, Richard returned to his room and burnt his half-finished letter to James. Arranging his elopement with Belinda was a better use of his time.
*****
Belinda thrummed with excitement as Anne’s carriage rolled through the Hertfordshire town of Meryton. Lady Catherine had attempted to delay their departure, claiming it was unseemly for them to travel with only their maids and the coachman, but Anne remained insistent on their going.
“When does Richard arrive?” Anne asked.
“Sometime tonight. There was a vote James did not wish to miss.” Belinda frowned and glanced at her friend. “He says there is an important vote tomorrow as well. He will need to leave early in the morning.”
Anne pouted. “He is avoiding me again.”
“No, dearest. He takes his duties very seriously. Once the matter of the frame-breakers is settled, he will have time to be a husband.”
“And what was his excuse for the last ten years?” Anne took a deep breath and then rubbed her gloved palms over her skirt. “It changes nothing. I will have my due.”
“I shall help you just as planned then,” Belinda said. “Betsy will arrange to distract his valet and allow you time to enter his chambers.”
Anne grinned. “If all goes well, you will journey to Gretna in James’ carriage, and he will be forced to take me with him to London.”
“I thought the London air made you ill.”
“I can stay long enough for him to vote on the machine breakers and then we can return to Rosings or, better, travel anywhere.” Anne giggled in delight.
Belinda hardly knew if Anne’s plan could succeed. Richard had written of his meeting with her father. She had said nothing to Anne, but her confidence had wavered. Her parents had married in a similar situation, but they had never grown to love one another. Instead, her father sought his comfort in another woman’s arms and loved their child so much he destroyed their wealth. Gambling and other forms of over-indulgence were already rampant in their class. Belinda could no longer hope that James, who had lived as a libertine for a decade, could now stay faithful to a wife he did not love.
Soon, they arrived at Netherfield. Miss Bingley showed them around her brother’s leased home, to which she would no longer be the mistress beginning tomorrow. The conversation at dinner and supper were a blur. Belinda could think only of Richard.
As a mirror of over a month ago, Belinda stayed up awaiting the arrival of Richard and James. She could not see Richard without breaking propriety. Nor could she think of a way to keep it secret, especially without ruining their chances to elope on the morrow, but she only wished to hear of his safe arrival. When she finally fell asleep, her dreams were filled with insurmountable walls and dragons who snored. Snored?
Wondering about the time, Belinda tried to roll over so she could light the candle on her bedside table. However, she could not move. At her side was a snoring wall of…
“Richard!”
“Hush, my darling,” he muttered sleepily and draped a heavy arm around her waist.
Tears pricked Belinda’s eyes. She propped her head up on one hand and brushed a lock of hair from his brow with the other hand. Then she trailed a finger down his face, memorising the feel of every line and the rough texture of his whiskers.
“You cannot stay here,” she shook his shoulder as she heard the clock strike five.
“You are my wife, and I will sleep with you if I bloody want,” Richard countered with sleepiness tempering the ferocity of his tone.
“We are not wed yet. You must go.”
“No. No more rules and opinions getting in our way.” He pulled her closer and kissed her until she grew breathless.
“Yes, my love, I agree. Tomorrow, after the wedding, we will slip away and begin our life together.” She leaned in to kiss him again but instead his eyes flew open.
“Say it again,” he whispered.
Understanding what he asked, she touched her head to his. “I love you, Richard Fitzwilliam.”
Belinda could feel his lips break into a grin which made his entire face smile. Pulling back, she could make out his lips and ran a finger over them.
“Will you say nothing?” she asked meekly.
Richard grabbed her hand and kissed it before linking his fingers through hers. “Lady Belinda Crenshaw, I love you more than my own life.”
Pulling her to him, he caress
ed her face with his lips and murmured continued words of love against her forehead, temple, eyelids, cheeks and finally her lips. When he whispered of his desire in her ears, she blushed but could not deny her passionate response.
At breakfast the following morning, Belinda examined each resident. No one seemed the wiser about Richard visiting her chamber. Mr. Bingley withstood good-natured teasing from his friends. Elizabeth had left to spend the morning with her family and ready her sister for the ceremony.
Soon, everyone retired to their chambers to dress. As Belinda put on her gown, she ran her hands over her stomach. She could see nothing as yet, but in weeks there would be proof enough. Her courses were now two weeks late. Combined with other signs and she was convinced she and Richard would have only eight months as a family of two.
As Jane and Mr. Bingley pledged to love one another, Belinda repeated the vows in her heart as she locked eyes with Richard. She did not know what words blacksmiths in Scotland said, and so this would be her church ceremony.
At long last, the wedding breakfast commenced at Netherfield, followed by a ball. To avoid suspicion, Richard and Belinda agreed to not spend too much time together at the festivities. After a number of dances with other men, Richard finally approached her.
“Slip away soon,” he whispered in her ear. “A letter will arrive for you, and you can claim it is from your parents. James will arrange his carriage to take you, and it shall pick me up on the road.”
Belinda smiled as excitement built in her. Soon, they would be on the road destined for their future. “Oh, there is Elizabeth. Please, may we go to them? I did not see her earlier.”
Richard smiled and led her to Darcy and Elizabeth, who had been teasing her husband.
“What is she teasing her old, sour husband about now?” Richard asked Darcy.
“Have a care, Richard,” Darcy replied with a twitch to his lips. “You are even older than I.”
“This is true,” Richard said while chuckling. “Then we must both have it better than James.” He nodded to his brother on the other side of the room in conversation with Sir William Lucas.
Belinda shook her head. “No, you cannot tease them. I would not have believed it possible, but do you see how they can silently speak to each other?”
The group watched as James’ and Anne’s eyes met from different corners of the room. They made simultaneous excuses to those with whom they conversed and met each other halfway. Devotion and admiration shone on their faces. After some conversation, they turned their attention to Mr. Truman and Miss Bingley. Belinda sincerely hoped they would find a way to heal the divide between them.
“I believe Richard has planned a surprise,” Darcy said as the orchestra played the strands of a new song. A surprised murmur went through the crowd.
“Is this a… a… waltz?” Elizabeth asked.
“It is all the rage on the Continent,” Richard said. “And gaining popularity here, if not in London. Shall we?” He extended his hand to Belinda.
“Is it true what they say?” she asked.
“Come, dance with me. Our first dance will be you in my arms,” Richard said to Belinda, which caused her to blush. “We must make this the fashion in England since I will never again dance abroad.”
He leaned his head forward to whisper in her ear. “Do you recall what joy you find in my arms?”
Belinda’s face heated but she took Richard’s arm. He lead her through the waltz with sure movements, and Belinda believed it would be that way for the course of their life. So long as they could be together, she would follow him anywhere.
Too soon the dance ended. “Now, go my darling. Anne and James have already left.”
Anne hurried away, her body humming with the awareness of being in Richard’s arms always brought her. Leaving the ballroom, she walked toward the front door. The butler appeared.
“I need a walk in the garden. Lady Arlington should join me momentarily. Will you tell anyone else who might ask after me?”
“Pardon me my lady,” he replied, “but an express just arrived for you.”
He handed over the letter, which she read there and pretended to be shocked at its contents. Well, Richard’s passionate message was shocking but for entirely different reasons.
“Oh, my gracious!” Belinda exclaimed and threw a hand to her heart. “My mother is ill and requests my presence in London immediately. Pray tell, have you seen Lord Arlington?”
“I believe he was in the drawing room,” the butler replied.
Belinda walked in that direction. Believing James expected her entrance, she did not knock on the door. Upon opening it, she was startled to find Darcy and Elizabeth in an ardent embrace.
“Pardon me!” Belinda cried. Instead of fleeing, she looked around the hall.
“Is anything amiss?” Elizabeth asked as she left Darcy’s side.
“Well... I was to meet James here. I need him to arrange his carriage to take me to London.”
“I saw him go upstairs, but that was several minutes ago,” Darcy answered.
“Whatever is wrong?” Elizabeth asked and placed a consoling hand on Belinda’s shoulder.
Belinda peered at the clock. “He was supposed to be here.”
“Perhaps you ought to explain why you are seeking out your betrothed’s brother,” Darcy said.
“William!” Elizabeth gasped. “How can you accuse her of such a thing?”
“No, it is not anything like that,” Belinda said and then entered the room and shut the door behind her. “Richard and I are to borrow James’ carriage for our journey to Scotland.”
A look of understanding crossed the faces of her companions.
“Have you seen Anne? Perhaps her order is just as good,” Belinda said.
“Anne retired to her chambers,” Elizabeth said.
“Already?” Belinda gasped. “Oh, no. No, no, no. This was not the plan at all and Richard will be waiting for me on the road to Meryton.”
“Surely we can send for Anne or James,” Elizabeth said.
“No,” Belinda blushed. “Anne had very particular plans for this evening,” she raised her eyebrows hoping they would understand her euphemism.
“Oh,” Darcy and Elizabeth spoke in unison.
“James going to his chamber before seeing me and calling for the carriage, after my fabricated emergency, was unexpected. I would not wish to… ahem… interrupt anything.”
“It is of no consequence,” Darcy said. “Take my carriage. I will arrange matters with James on the morrow.”
“That is quite perfect,” Belinda said. “Thank you!” She spun on her heel to leave but turned back to them. “And you do not think badly of us for eloping? You will keep it a secret?”
“Richard explained the matter with your parents and the newspaper — even Wickham,” Darcy said. His hatred for the villain became clear when his voice dropped, and he could barely choke the name out.
Belinda smiled her thanks and left. Within the hour, her things were packed and loaded on Darcy’s carriage. When the driver paused to collect Richard from the side of the road, she beamed.
“You did not forget me?” He asked as he climbed inside. Disregarding propriety, he immediately pulled her to him.
“Never could I forget you. I was delayed, but now we will be together until death do us part.”
As they clung to each other in the carriage on the way to Scotland, they vowed that would be no time soon.
The End
The next installment of the When Love Blooms Series, Surprising Serenity, will be available in Summer 2018! Read how Anne and James fall in love!
Acknowledgments
To my author friends Leenie and Zoe that always were willing to hold my hand, nothing can take your place in my heart. Thank you, Aubrey for cold reading!
Thank you to the countless other people of the JAFF community who have inspired and encouraged me.
Last but not least, I could never have written, let alone published, wit
hout the love and support of my beloved husband and babies!
About the Author
Born in the wrong era, Rose Fairbanks has read nineteenth-century novels since childhood. Although she studied history, her transcript also contains every course in which she could discuss Jane Austen. Never having given up all-nighters for reading, Rose discovered her love for Historical Romance after reading Christi Caldwell’s Heart of a Duke Series.
After a financial downturn and her husband’s unemployment had threatened her ability to stay at home with their special needs child, Rose began writing the kinds of stories she had loved to read for so many years. Now, a best-selling author of Jane Austen-inspired stories, she also writes Regency Romance, Historical Fiction, Paranormal Romance, and Historical Fantasy.
Having completed a BA in history in 2008, she plans to finish her master’s studies someday. When not reading or writing, Rose runs after her two young children, ignores housework, and profusely thanks her husband for doing all the dishes and laundry. She is a member of the Jane Austen Society of North America and Romance Writers of America.
You can connect with Rose on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and her blog: http://rosefairbanks.com
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More from Rose Fairbanks
Jane Austen Variations
The Gentleman’s Impertinent Daughter
Extraordinary Devotion: A Pride and Prejudice Novella Variation (When Love Blooms Book 3) Page 7