by Cheryl Holt
“You poor baby,” she sarcastically crooned.
“I’m good at deceit and fabrication, but your stepmother could teach me a few tricks. You should have seen how miserable I was when I rode away after speaking to her.”
“You were miserable? Ha! A likely story.”
“I was very miserable. I came with my hat in my hand, determined to grovel, to debase myself by begging you to wed me, but she told me you were already married.”
“I wasn’t,” Faith snapped.
“Well, I didn’t know that, now did I? I must tell you—at the time—I deemed you to be very fickle. You were so fond of me in Africa, but mere months later you were happy to marry your cousin.”
“I didn’t have any option,” she fumed. “In case you weren’t aware, I was kicked out of the convent.”
“Yes, Rowena informed me. She’s staying at my apartment in London. In fact, she was the one who figured out that Lambert and Alice had to be scamming you. That girl has a devious mind.”
“The only person of my acquaintance who’s devious is you.”
“Aren’t you curious as to why I was so eager to propose?”
“No,” she petulantly insisted, although she was dying of curiosity. But she’d cut out her tongue rather than inquire.
“You have to hear why,” he said.
“I don’t want to!”
No doubt he’d weave a long and convoluted tale that would play on her sympathies. She’d start to feel sorry for him. She’d start to…to…care, and she absolutely refused to care about anything!
She tried to push by him, but rude oaf that he was, he wouldn’t let her pass.
“Get out of my way!” Her teeth were clenched so hard she was afraid she might break a tooth.
“No. I’ve explained why you can’t be allowed to traipse off on your own. You need protection like no female I’ve ever met.”
“I will not be lectured by you! And if I needed protection—which I don’t—I wouldn’t accept it from a reprobate such as yourself.”
He chuckled. “You used to like my vile qualities.”
“That was before you left me standing at a coaching inn in London. Matters have become quite a bit clearer since then.”
“You slapped me!”
“You deserved it, and if you don’t watch out, I’ll slap you again.”
“You really pack a wallop.”
“Yes, I do.” She glared. “I’m glad we hashed that out. Now then, if you’ll excuse me…?”
“I can’t. You’ve been kidnapped so you can’t just trot off.”
“I’m not asking you to release me. I’m telling you you’re mad, and I’m not staying here with you.”
“I’ve inherited a big, fancy estate,” he suddenly announced. “Can you believe it?”
“You…what?”
“When I returned to London, there was a fellow hunting for me. Everywhere I went, he was hot on my heels. I thought he was a creditor, hoping to have me jailed as a debtor.”
“I’m surprised he wasn’t.”
“Once he caught up with me, I learned he was a lawyer’s clerk.”
“And…?”
“I told you. I’ve inherited an estate.”
“From who?”
“From my father. Apparently he hadn’t forgotten me after all. My French relatives hid it from me, but the last of the despicable bunch finally died. People were trying to trace the title, and it led them to me.”
“To you…” she mumbled like a dolt.
“Yes. So let’s review what we discussed that day in London.”
“You said we couldn’t be together because you couldn’t…support…me.”
She stumbled to the end of the sentence.
“Exactly,” he agreed. “I couldn’t support you, but guess what? I can certainly support you now. The minute I found out about the property, I rode to Scotland to propose. It was the first thing I did.”
“That can’t be true.”
“It is. I went to Scotland, then to Heron Hall, but your stepmother ran me off. But I’m back—like a bad rash. You’ll never get rid of me. You don’t have the right medicine.”
She gaped at him. He seemed sincere, but he was such an accomplished liar, and she was so naive, it was difficult to gauge his level of honesty.
“What’s it called?” she asked.
“Oakhurst.”
“Where is it?”
“In Surrey.”
“Have you visited?”
“Yes. There’s a huge house and barns and outbuildings and equipment. It’s dilapidated though. My French kin were either too poor to maintain it or they were penny pinchers. It will take an enormous amount of work to make it habitable.”
“An estate…” she mumbled, shocked and astounded.
“The land is fertile, but everything needs repairing. The crops haven’t been productive for years, and the whole place requires some intense attention.”
“From you?”
“And you,” he shot back.
To her great consternation, he dropped to one knee and clasped her hand. She struggled to draw away, but he simply tightened his grip.
She started to tremble. “Don’t do this, Chase. Please!”
“Hush. Listen to me.”
“Please, Chase,” she tried again, but as usual she might as well have been talking to a log.
“I love you,” he declared.
“No, you don’t.”
“I do, and you love me too. Or at least you used to and it can’t all have vanished. Might there still be a sliver of affection buried down deep? Could I rekindle it?”
“No,” she said, “there’s no affection remaining.”
Which was a lie. When he was charming, when he was wonderful, she didn’t have the fortitude to resist him. But she’d been down a passionate road with him once before, and she’d crashed at the end.
She wouldn’t put herself at risk ever again, wouldn’t let her heart be broken. She’d never survive it a second time.
“I know I’m horrid,” he said.
“Yes, you are.”
“I know I behaved very hideously toward you.”
“You did.”
“But I behaved very well too, didn’t I? You can’t deny it.”
“I won’t deny it.”
“We were happy, I think. For awhile there, we were very happy.”
“We might have been,” she churlishly admitted.
“What if we could be happy like that every day for the rest of our lives?”
“It’s not possible.”
She attempted to lift him to his feet, but of course he wouldn’t budge.
“Marry me, Faith. I won’t stop pestering you until you say yes.”
“You’ll never get me to agree.”
“Why not?”
To her dismay, tears surged into her eyes. “Because I cast my lot with you once, and it almost killed me.”
“Faith, are you crying? You can’t cry.”
“I’m not crying,” she claimed, but she was on the verge of a major sobbing session.
He stood and pulled her close, kissing one eyelid, then the other.
“Don’t be sad,” he said.
“I can’t help it. I counted on you. I was desperate to create a life with you.”
“And now you can.”
“I don’t trust you.”
“You don’t trust me? Honestly, Faith, who rescued you from slavers? Who brought you to England safe and sound?”
“It’s the same fellow who ruined me and left me at the docks.”
“Well, that fellow has had a change of heart, and he suddenly needs an heiress who can save his bankrupt estate.” He gestured to her. “That would be you.”
“Oh, now you want me? Because you assume I’m wealthy? I wouldn’t necessarily believe what Alice and Lambert said about it.”
“I would. They were so determined, and as Rowena pointed out, it’s usually about the money, isn’t it? I’m be
tting you’re rich as plum pudding. Why else was your cousin so anxious to wed you?”
“He always hoped to wed me. It wasn’t because of some mythical dowry.”
“Maybe, maybe not, but I definitely think we should hire a lawyer to research it for you. We could ask Mr. Thumberton, the solicitor who found Oakhurst for me.”
“If I actually have a dowry, I should marry you and let you have it?”
“No, you should marry me and help me build a home for us.”
“You’re mad.”
“Not mad, Faith. Just crazy. Crazy about you.”
Without warning, he dipped in and kissed her. She hadn’t been expecting it so she hadn’t braced herself not to react. At the feel of his lips on her own, her body rejoiced, every inch of her reveling in ecstasy.
“Ralston and Rowena are marrying and coming to live with me,” he said. “Ralston will be my estate agent.”
“Ralston doesn’t know anything about farming.”
“Neither do I.” He laughed with unbridled glee. “Isn’t it wild, Faith? Ralston and I—pretending to be farmers.”
“Yes, it is wild.” She couldn’t imagine it.
“So…Rowena will be there, and she’s bringing Mary, Martha, and Millie. I thought we could try to adopt them,” he stunned her by suggesting.
“Adopt…the girls?”
“Why not? They don’t have any parents, and they think I’m wonderful.”
She snorted at that. “You’d have a ready-made family.”
“Yes, and they need a mother. I like Rowena, but she’s a tad reckless for my tastes.”
“Again, Chase, that’s the pot calling the kettle black.”
“Those girls have been through too much. They need stability and security—and a mother. Don’t force me to travel to London to find one for them. I’d slit my wrists before I’d go bride hunting, and when you fit the bill perfectly, it’s silly for me to search.”
“Everyone will be there at Oakhurst,” she mused.
“Everyone but you,” he said. “I’m worried about your half-sisters too. Perhaps they could join us. I’m guessing Alice isn’t much of a mother.”
“She’s not.”
“She’d likely be thrilled to get rid of them.”
“She probably would,” Faith concurred.
He swooped in and stole another kiss. “Take a chance on me, Faith. Come on. Take a chance.”
“I can’t,” she moaned. “I’m so afraid of you.”
“Why? Because I told you the truth that day in London? I couldn’t care for you then. Once I realized how my circumstances had changed, I rushed to inform you. That has to be a point in my favor, doesn’t it?”
“If you broke my heart again, I couldn’t bear it.”
“If that’s your concern, I’m happy to report that you have nothing to fret about because I will never break your heart again. Not a single time.”
“You couldn’t have other women. I wouldn’t stand for mistresses and concubines. If I found out, I’d murder you.”
Gad! Was she actually considering his proposal? Was she insane?
He scoffed. “As if I’d want any woman other than you.”
“You couldn’t leave me either. If you decide you’re bored with farming or with residing in the country, if you missed the excitement of town, I wouldn’t let you go.”
“I will always stay by your side. There’s nowhere else I’d rather be.”
“You say that now…”
“And I’ll say it for all eternity.”
She studied him, and she was conflicted, terrified, and confused.
Could she spurn him and walk away? If she did, she’d never see him again. She’d have to trudge back to Lambert and Alice, would have to wedge herself into whatever dreadful situation they managed to arrange. She couldn’t abide the notion of immersing herself in their calamity.
Chase was offering her a home of her own. Rowena would be there, Ralston and the girls too. From their sojourn in Africa, it had seemed they were already a family. They shouldn’t be separated.
“Take a chance on me, Faith,” he urged again. “Come on! You can do it!”
Suddenly a horse was trotting down the road. It blustered through the trees, and Ralston was there, looking fit and cordial and merry.
He jumped to the ground, asking, “Well? Has she accepted?”
“Not yet,” Chase complained. “The blasted woman thinks I’m a bad bet.”
“She might be right,” Ralston said, “or she might be wrong.” He smiled at Faith. “What if we all work on him and he turns out to be exactly the man you need?”
“What if we work on him, and he remains horrid?”
“He won’t,” Ralston said. “I won’t let him.”
Faith whipped her gaze to Chase. Outwardly he appeared very confident, but she sensed his insecurity too. He was scared as to what her final reply would be, and she liked witnessing his uncertainty. It was so rare.
He was a vain beast, the consummate scoundrel. He was pompous and ridiculously domineering. But he was also kind and funny and tough. Although he tried to hide it, he was loyal and devoted too. She had only to glance at Ralston and recall his fond affection for Chase. Chase’s best traits would always win out.
She took a deep breath, feeling as if she was running toward a cliff and about to leap over. Where would she be when she landed?
“Yes, Chase Hubbard,” she firmly stated. “Yes, I will marry you.”
“Are you sure?” he asked. “Because with me, it’s forever.”
“With me, it’s forever too.”
“She’s agreed, Chase,” Ralston scolded. “Don’t refuse to take yes for an answer.”
“I’m not refusing.” He turned to Faith and told her, “I gladly give up my bachelor days—just for you.”
“Just for me,” she murmured, liking the sound of it.
“You’ll be Mrs. Hubbard.”
“Yes, Mrs. Chase Hubbard.”
He grinned, cocky again. “I knew I could convince you.”
“I will never be the same.”
“Not from this moment on.” He grabbed her and tossed her up onto his saddle. Then he vaulted up behind her. “I have to finish this kidnapping. Let’s go to Oakhurst!”
Ralston whooped with delight. “Oakhurst it is!”
They kicked their horses into a canter and raced away.
EPILOGUE
“Are you ready?”
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Rowena drew Faith into her arms and hugged her as tightly as she could. They were weepy, overcome by emotion. When they reflected on the prior years, with both of them locked away in the convent, having supposedly shunned the outside world, it was strange and wonderful to be standing where they were.
Who would have thought that either of them would marry? Who would have thought they’d be so blessed?
Rowena would wed in a few weeks, at a church in Southampton where one of Ralston’s brothers was a pastor. But for now, it was Faith’s turn. She would be first. They were in the vestibule of the small chapel at Oakhurst, and the local parish vicar would preside. The organist was playing a quiet hymn.
There were neighbors in attendance, along with the elderly servants who’d remained after Chase’s last French relative had passed away. They were scattered in the pews.
Chase and Ralston were about to walk out to the altar, then the girls would stroll down the aisle, tossing flowers as they went.
Then…Rowena would go, and Faith would follow. Chase would be waiting for her at the end.
“You’re beautiful,” Rowena said.
“I feel beautiful,” Faith replied, and she really did.
In her previous, rushed ceremony with Lambert, she’d worn a borrowed dress but had made no genuine preparations other than donning that blue garment. On recollecting that day, it seemed she must have recognized the wedding would be a farce, that it would never be concluded.
She still couldn’t get
over how much could change in a month.
After Chase had kidnapped her, he’d brought her to Oakhurst and she hadn’t put up any fuss. It wasn’t as if she could have chosen a different destination, and she’d been pathetically eager to see the estate he’d claimed to have inherited.
For once, he’d been telling the truth. It was a huge place with a house that was a veritable mansion three stories high. It had dozens of bedchambers, parlors, and suites. It was rundown though, many of the rooms emptied of furniture and in desperate need of a thorough cleaning.
She’d been astonished by the residence, and he’d been so obviously proud of it. The marvelous, loyal, terrific Chase Hubbard was back with a vengeance, and the awful, horrid, unreliable Chase had vanished. Or at least he’d been tucked away out of sight.
He’d finally found his niche, had stumbled into the spot where he absolutely belonged. He reveled in authority and management, and she had to stop being surprised when he was domineering. He was the son of a French count after all, so he had aristocratic blood flowing in his veins. He couldn’t help being bossy. He’d been born to lead and rule.
The property would require constant work and effort for it to be habitable, to restore it to some of its former greatness. And she was delighted to have the project to keep her busy. It might take the remainder of her life, but she wouldn’t rest until the condition was splendid.
She would make it a home. She would make it glorious so they could honor Chase’s parents.
He’d grown up believing they didn’t care about him and hadn’t provided for him. But clearly they’d cared very, very much. They’d planned for him to inherit a grand estate, and that’s what she was determined he’d eventually have.
Chase’s solicitor, Mr. Thumberton, had written that, yes, she had a dowry. It wasn’t fantastically large, but it was sufficient to repair and renovate, to support them until the farms were producing and profitable.
She sighed with contentment.
There was a tug on her skirt, and she glanced down to find Millie gazing at her.
“Is it time, Faith?” she asked.
“Not yet. Chase and Ralston have to come out with the vicar.”
Millie pointed into the church where the men had sneaked in without Faith noticing. They were attired in their wedding finery, looking handsome and dashing. On observing them, her pulse raced.