Hugo looked at her warily. “Yes, we have already been to interview her. She is safe and well, and has told us pretty much the same thing as you, my dear.” Hugo sighed at Cecily’s excited look. He hated to disappoint her when she had already been through so much but, until matters were concluded, they had to remain in their respective hiding places. “I cannot tell you where she is just yet and, unfortunately, it may be several weeks before it is clear for you to meet her.”
“Why? Surely we cannot be in any danger here?”
Simon and Hugo shared a look. “We have to make sure your father’s fate is decided, and he is in jail, or whatever. As soon as he has been dealt with, and we can be sure that the French have disappeared back into the woodwork, you will be free to meet with your sister as often as you please.”
Cecily didn’t need to ask but knew from the look they had shared that her father was going to hang. They were waiting for the trial, and the sentence to be carried out, before they allowed life to carry on as normal. Cecily shivered and cuddled close to Jamie, relieved to be able to close the door on her cold past forever.
“Oh God,” she burst out, ignoring Jamie’s startled jump.
“What’s the matter? What is it?” Jamie demanded, glaring around the room in search of the reason why Cecily had suddenly gone rigid on his lap.
“Who called him?” She glared at Jamie accusingly.
“Him? Who?”
Hugo shot out of his chair and stalked to the window, rapping out a brief description of the man steering his curricle down the driveway.
“The doctor?” Jamie asked with a frown.
“Yes, the doctor,” Cecily snapped, staring at Jamie as though he had just betrayed her. She jumped off his lap as though she had just been scolded and stared down at him in horror. “You called that man to this house?”
“Yes, why? He is the doctor,” Jamie replied blankly.
“Well you can see him then, because he is coming nowhere near me,” Cecily declared flatly, staring at Jamie as though he was a snake in the grass.
“But he needs to take a look at your head,” Jamie argued, feeling at a loss to find a way to pacify her. “Your cut is bleeding again, or had you not noticed?”
“I can deal with it myself,” Cecily scoffed. “I don’t need that man coming at me with his bag of horrors. You can see him. Let him take a look at your head. My head is staying where it is thank you very much.” Her desperation grew at the sound of the rapid knock on the front door. Nobody moved to answer it. Cecily heard rapid footsteps followed by Mrs Nantwich’s melodic voice.
“Where are you going?” Jamie cried, watching her stalk toward the French windows.
“As far away from that, that, torturer as I can get,” she huffed, slamming out of the door without a backward glance.
Jamie stared blankly at Hugo who merely grinned. Simon was no help either and made no attempt to hide his amusement.
“I guess she doesn’t like the doctor,” Jonathan mused, slugging another gulp of brandy around a laugh. It was good to see his friend being kept on his toes and was glad that he had found someone like Cecily. She was solid and dependable, not like most of the waspish young females hankering after marriage. He liked her, and that made the ordeal of the last few days all the more bearable.
Jamie moved to go after her only to pause at a knock on the study door.
“The doctor -”
“I know, but erm,” Jamie glanced at the door Cecily had just used and wondered if he should just carry her upstairs and hold her down while the doctor dealt with her head, but knew that she would most probably refuse to marry him if he did. Scowling in consternation, his gaze flew to Simon when he sighed heavily and motioned the doctor inside.
“He,” Simon pointed to a shocked Jonathan, “has had a bash on the head and needs checking over.” He cast a disgruntled Jonathan an unrepentant smile and watched as the doctor began to ruthlessly poke and prod.
While Jonathan was complaining about the pain, Jamie snuck outside, studying the gardens carefully for any sign of Cecily. He walked past the shattered library door and spotted Sophie and Mrs Nantwich tidying up the mess.
“She went that way,” Mrs Nantwich said with a smile, pointing at the hallway door. “I think she doesn’t like the doctor.”
Jamie shook his head and took the servants’ stairs two at a time. He found Cecily in the master bedroom, washing blood off her face. Although she had yet to remove her soiled dress, her face was at least cleared of blood and matted hair.
She glared at him in the mirror and watched cautiously as he moved to stand behind her. She felt the cool waft of air at her back and knew he was undoing the long row of tiny buttons at the back of her dress.
“What are you doing?” She asked carefully, drying her face with a towel. She really did need to bath and wash her hair but, right now she had more pressing matters to deal with, like the imminent arrival of the doctor. She glanced warily at the door and turned a scowl on Jamie.
“I am helping you to remove your dress. It is soiled and dirty,” Jamie replied reasonably as he eased the fabric slowly off her shoulders. He dropped tiny kisses along the warm, bare skin of her shoulder.
“Don’t ever do that to me again,” he said darkly, resting his chin on her shoulder and staring into her eyes through the glass. “You had me scared for a moment there.”
“Did you really mean all of those things you said?” Cecily’s voice quivered with nerves. She had to know, she simply had to. Before anything else happened, and while Hugo was still downstairs and available to take her somewhere else, she simply had to find out from Jamie once and for all just exactly how much he cared. She knew he wanted her, and desired her, affectionately, but it wasn’t enough.
“I did,” Jamie whispered. “I meant every last word of it.” He turned her slowly around and eased a wet curl away from her forehead. He gently cupped her cheek in one large palm.
“I love you, Cecily Tinsdale,” he whispered. He caught the hiccupping sob she took with his lips. He backed her steadily toward the bed and then slowly sat her down on the edge of the mattress. Cecily was about to lie back when his hands on her shoulders stopped her.
Frowning she leaned back from his kiss and stared up at him in confusion.
“What are you doing?” She asked warily, watching him drag the small table beside the bed over to her knees. She gasped when he yanked his shirt out of his breeches, drew it over his head and began to tear it into strips. “Jamie! Have you gone mad?” She watched as strip after strip landed on her lap.
She glanced up at him when he didn’t answer and gasped as his lips landed on hers. She moaned as her senses swam, but she was destined for disappointment. The hands she placed on the bare muscles of his chest were captured in his large palms and placed back in her lap.
“Marry me?” He whispered, searching her eyes for any sign of lingering fear, worry or the dazed look that told him that her mind was clouded by the knock to the head.
“I love you,” Cecily replied, unable to keep the words in. She watched his face soften at her words and she smiled gently back. His brows lifted and she smiled sheepishly when she realised that he was still waiting. “Of course,” she added, bracing her hands on his chest to stop him from kissing her again. “But only on one condition.”
Jamie paused and leaned back warily, one brow arched in silent query.
“Don’t ever send for the doctor again,” Cecily whispered with a knowing look.
Jamie’s lips twitched. “You may need him a time or two in the future, darling,” he argued glancing at the gash visible through her hair. “But right now, we will leave it with just the two of us.”
Cecily slumped with relief. “Where is he?” she demanded glancing warily around the bedroom as though he was going to pop out from beneath the bed.
“Downstairs, giving Jonathan a headache,” Jamie replied with an unrepentant grin.
“He did give me one very good piece of advice the
last time he was here though, I will grant him that,” Cecily announced conversationally several moments later. Her lips tingled from his careful ministrations and he hadn’t even touched her head yet.
“Oh, what was that?” Jamie asked. He reluctantly drew back and began to dab at the blood in her hair with one of the strips of his shirt.
“He told me that with a head injury, the best recovery was plenty of bed rest.”
“Bed rest, you say?” Jamie mused, making no attempt to hide his grin. The cut was really quite small and had already stopped bleeding. Her hair had blood in it, and needed a thorough wash, but he would save that ministration for later, when he could share the bath with her.
“I am afraid that I am going to have to insist that I carry out the doctor’s orders, and must take to my bed at once,” Cecily sighed. She didn’t know where the emboldened side of her had come from but she grabbed hold of his waist and drew him down onto the bed with a giggle. He fell down onto the mattress beside her and rested his head on one hand. His gaze turned solemn as he studied her.
“Are you really all right?”
Cecily studied him carefully before reaching over to cup his beloved face. “With you around, I will always be all right.”
EPILOGUE
Cecily had never been more nervous in her entire life. She smiled shakily at Mrs Nantwich who handed her a small bouquet of flowers before quietly leaving her to have a few moments to herself. The carriage was waiting in the morning sunshine outside and her groom was already at the church with most of the Star Elite, but Cecily took a moment to gather her thoughts.
Today she was going to marry the man of her dreams; the love of her life; and the man who was the father to the child she carried. She smiled secretively and took one last careful look at herself in the mirror.
Her only regret was that Portia wouldn’t be here to share her special day. She had so desperately wanted to see her sister on this wonderful occasion, and had tried several times to persuade Jamie to delay the nuptials until they were safe to meet, but Jamie had refused point-blank to even consider the notion. Jamie had been adamant that given the fact that they were already sharing a bed, it was folly to delay a wedding any longer than was absolutely necessary. When the possibility that she may be with child became apparent, Cecily realised that he was right and she owed it to her, their, child to ensure that things were done properly. She had agreed that the wedding should go ahead and had been stunned by just how swiftly Jamie had put the arrangements into place.
Although she had never asked him, she strongly suspected that he had already made all of the arrangements anyway, but she couldn’t find it in her heart to be angry with him. He had a way of diverting her anger that inevitably left her exhausted, delighted and thoroughly bemused at his ability to bend her to his will.
She turned toward the door and froze. There, standing beside the door to the corridor, was Jamie’s father. He was dressed in a morning suit, with a beautiful pink rose in his lapel. He smiled brightly at Cecily and looked at the door. Thoroughly bemused, if shaken, she smiled back and watched as he nodded before he turned toward the door to the sitting room, and disappeared.
With a sigh, Cecily walked out of Melvedere and climbed into the carriage, her stomach fluttering nervously as she smiled up at Billy, the new coachman.
A lot had happened over the last several weeks, not least the passages, attics and servants quarters had been thoroughly cleaned by an army of new staff all shepherded along by Mrs Nantwich and the new deputy housekeeper, Sophie. Doreen had taken up another position at a smaller house closer to the village so that she could spend more time with her husband, and her position had been filled by a shy young maid called Molly.
All too soon the carriage drew to a stop outside of the church. Cecily took a deep breath and glanced out of the window. Her eyes grew wide at the sight of the large crowds gathered to watch. She had agreed with Jamie that the ceremony should be kept small, with only Jamie’s friend and colleagues from the Star Elite in attendance, and his cousin Florence Seabrook and a step-aunt, Tabatha Seabrook.
She gathered her skirts and reached for the door only to jump when it flew open and Archie’s head popped into view. Her eyes widened, and she squealed in delight.
He grinned at her. “Thank God you are here,” he announced, holding his hand out to help her down. Her feet had no sooner hit the floor than she was swept into a huge hug. “I had notes that you were well, but I wanted to make sure for myself,” he declared softly. “He took care of you then?”
Tears gathered in Cecily’s eyes and she nodded, unable to speak past the lump in her throat.
“Don’t mind these people, they are villagers here to wish you and Jamie well, that’s all.” Archie stood back and held his arm out, placing a fatherly hand on hers as he led her through the crowd toward the church.
“Portia? Is she here?” Even saying her sister’s name made Cecily’s voice quiver.
Archie merely smiled secretively and led her through the excited masses.
The coldness within the church was in stark contrast to the brilliant sunshine but Cecily was oblivious to everything other than the excitement that began to build within her.
She had no sooner taken a step into the small anti-room than a flurry of pale material captured her attention. Within seconds she was swept into Portia’s hug and together the sisters stood, clinging together fiercely for several long moments while the tears flowed.
It was several long moments before either lady was able to say anything.
“Ahem.” Jamie smiled and moved forward to pull Cecily into his arms.
“You arranged this,” she whispered chidingly, not caring at all that Portia and Archie were themselves hugging tightly.
Jamie shared a secretive smile with Archie. “Of course, you don’t think that Portia would give any of us a moment’s peace if she missed today, do you? Besides, they wanted to be here to practice.”
“Practice?” Cecily turned quizzical eyes on him.
Jamie merely lifted his brows and smiled. Cecily’s eyes flew to Portia, then Archie.
“Really?” she whispered, clamping her hands over her mouth to stifle her cry of joy.
Congratulations were exchanged, along with more hugs and tears.
“Come on, let’s get you to where you should be,” Archie said, clapping Jamie on the shoulder.
Jamie moved to Cecily and cupped her face in his hands. “See you in a minute,” he whispered, placing a tender kiss on her upturned lips. “I love you.”
“I love you back,” Cecily replied, her lips quivering.
“You can thank me later,” he said with a cheeky grin.
Swatting his arm, Cecily merely smiled and stood back to allow Archie to drag him out of the room.
“Now then, it’s time you were married,” Portia whispered, hoping she hadn’t got swollen eyes and a red nose. Although the congregation were strangers, she didn’t want to cause any embarrassment to her beautiful younger sister by sobbing uncontrollably through the entire service.
She had been delighted when Archie had received word that Jamie and Cecily were to marry – and quickly. Archie had been rather concerned that Jamie had not behaved all that honourably, and was ready to charge over to Melvedere to see what was happening, until Portia quietly pointed out that it was nothing more than they themselves had done. Archie though had wasted no time in setting arrangements in place for their own wedding in two weeks’ time.
“There is a lot to catch up on, dear sister,” Cecily whispered, glancing at the door.
“Oh, indeed there is,” Portia replied with a secretive smile. “We are going to be here for the next several weeks at least.” Her smile widened at Cecily’s delighted gasp. “When the weddings are out of the way then we can catch up.”
“Well, we made it,” Cecily sighed, sharing a careful look with her sister.
“Yes, we really did,” Portia replied softly.
Cecily began to sni
ff again.
“Now don’t start that, or we will be in here for another hour and then Jamie and Archie, and I have no doubt half of the congregation, will be storming in here to find out what has happened to us.”
“Are they all Star Elite?” Cecily asked.
“Hugo, his wife Harriett and their children are in the first pew. There is Simon and his wife Francesca with baby opposite. Archie is Jamie’s best man. Jonathan is there too, along with Pie and some others, but they are all alone. The rest are staff at Melvedere, I think. Oh, and there is Jamie’s cousin Florence, and her step-aunt Tabatha,” Portia replied, studying her sister with pride.
Cecily looked simply beautiful in a pale blue dress. The violets she carried matched her eyes and, together with the small white flowers dotted around the silken curls piled carefully atop her head, she was beautiful. Portia knew from the look on Jamie’s face when he had first set eyes on his future bride that Cecily had made the right decision in agreeing to marry him. Portia was very grateful for Jamie’s persistence and, whatever reason had driven him to offer for her hand the first time round, he had certainly made sure nothing went wrong the second time.
Jamie adored Cecily, and didn’t care who knew it.
Portia sighed and opened the door to Cecily, aware that by doing so they were opening up the door to a whole new future. All of them had defied the odds, and now had the future to languish in the success of their endeavours. For that, they could only be very grateful.
“Ready?” Portia whispered, peeking out at the congregation and nodding toward the organist.
“Ready,” sighed Cecily and walked down the aisle on a new pathway of life toward the man who would walk beside her the entire way.
The End.
Other books by Rebecca King
The Star Elite – Book 1
Capturing Sir Dunnicliffe – released July 2013
The Star Elite – Book 2
Lord Melvedere's Ghost Page 24