“Really? Do tell.” He accepted a glass of brandy from his friend and took a sip. All he needed now was a bath.
“Your bride-to-be was sleepwalking. She didn’t try to entrap you. Josie reports Elizabeth was horrified when she realized what had happened. She tried to beg off.”
“Likely story.”
“Don’t enter marriage resenting her. You still are responsible for your own actions.”
“I already told you I’ll do my duty, Marcus, and you have every right to hold me to a code of honor, but you cannot tell me how I must feel about Miss Follett.”
“Don’t make the mistake of starting out poorly with something that could bring you great joy if you allowed it to.”
“Is this another one of your God talks?”
“A woman can be a help-mate, a comfort, and definitely a delight. No more lonely nights, Phillip.”
“How would you know if my nights have been lonely?”
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “If I’ve misjudged your more recent attitudes toward debauchery, I stand corrected. I only thought…”
“I’m being peevish. Forgive me, old friend. I’ve had better things to do with my money than invest in a lady of the night to slake temporary desires.”
Marcus grew pink in the cheeks. For a married man, he was still far too virtuous to talk about sex or ladies-of-the-night. In spite of the fact he himself entered a brothel to protect Josie before they were wed.
“I’m assuming Fenway has a bath ready for me by now. I shall see my room and will see you in the morning. You will stand by my side as I speak my vows?”
“I’d be honored to do so.”
Together the men left the room and went up the stairs, Phillip going to the room that had been for years set aside for his frequent visits there.
~*~
Lizzy startled awake, heart pounding. She glanced at the clock. She’d be expected at the chapel in two hours. Why had the maid allowed her to sleep so long? She tossed and turned most of the night, worried about how Phillip felt regarding their marriage. Did he resent her? Would he abandon her?
No. He was a gentleman. He’d be there. He would not spurn her now. But had he been informed of the sleep-walking or did he still believe she intentionally seduced him to trap him into this unwanted mésalliance? She took some deep breaths and rose.
Josie assured her everything would be resolved.
Lizzy feared that by marrying her, Lord Westcombe was placing himself in harm’s way. No man deserved to be punished for her sins, and possibly die on her behalf. She tried to raise the issue with Josie yesterday but wasn’t taken seriously. Josie instead spoke about how someone had already died for her sins. Jesus.
Yesterday afternoon, Lizzy read the holy scriptures, in the gospel of John. It confused her. Someone from ancient times died, but Phillip could as well. There was no promise she could find that her fiancé would be safe from harm. She asked if they would permit her to talk to Phillip last night, but they never told her when he had returned. She would only see him before the altar of God, and that fact alone caused her to wonder if he or she wouldn’t be struck down dead before the final affirmation of vows.
~*~
Elsa soon arrived. A light breakfast was enjoyed as Elizabeth’s hair was put up with small pearl pins to keep it in place. A lovely gown of lavender and white was found in the closet of Marcus’ sister, Henrietta. Josie assured her that his sister would not mind if she took the dress. Now a married woman, she had a new wardrobe and didn’t visit Rose Hill often.
Lizzy glanced down at her gown. Finally, a color that became her. The white dresses the debutantes wore during their season washed her out. Today she was marrying one of the most eligible and handsomest men of the beau monde. Her heart ached for her mother, whom she’d lost when she was five-years-old. She pirouetted around the room. Mother, can see your little girl now? She came to a stop before the window where Duke watched with his head characteristically tipped to the side.
“Pretty bird,” he said.
“Shouldn’t it be pretty lady, Duke?” She curtseyed to him, giggling.
“Pretty lady.” He parroted back to her with a wolf whistle.
She grinned and placed a kiss on the top of his head. “Well, Duke, today I marry and become Mrs. Phillip Westcombe. Could anything be sillier than that?”
Duke nodded his head in agreement and gave a short laugh that sounded much like her own.
Lizzy kissed him again.
A knock on the door sent him flying away.
“Enter,” Lizzy called out.
Josie came in. “Oh, Elizabeth, you look lovely.”
“Does Phillip understand I didn’t trap him?”
The young matron sat down, drawing Elizabeth to the seat beside her. “Marcus spoke with him last night and explained. Whether Phillip believes him or not, I don’t know. We are both praying for your marriage. Phillip is an honorable man. He will treat you well.”
“But will he ever come to love me?”
A soft smile played on the viscountess’s lips. “I suspect he’s already half-way there. How else would he have come to your rescue at that ball? He put his own reputation at risk to save you and he did that without any sense that you had manipulated him.”
“But now he may view it all differently.”
“He might. Your love can change all that.”
“My…love?” Beth’s hand went to cover her heart. “I don’t love him.”
“I think you must at some level, or you wouldn’t be so worried about protecting him, having him think ill of you, or leaving you.”
“Perhaps I only want safety.”
“I think you desire more than that, Elizabeth. You long to be loved and cherished. Maybe Phillip’s not there yet, but you have a sweet spirit about you. I suspect if he’s not in love with you yet, he soon will be.”
Elizabeth let her hand drop. She swallowed and blinked back tears. “I certainly hope so. I’d much rather be married to Phillip than Lord Wolton. I believe Lord Westcombe would never seek to harm me.”
“Far from it. He would do anything to protect you.”
“I fear marriage alone will not keep me safe from my father and his friends.”
“Why do you say that?”
“They are evil, and associated with someone called the Black Diamond. I’ve never met the man but his name is spoken of with fear.”
“All the more reason for us to keep praying for you. Try to enjoy this day.”
“Thank you for all you’ve done for me, Josie.”
“It’s been my pleasure. I’ve looked forward to watching Marcus’s friends fall to Cupid’s arrow. Phillip is a good man. I’m happy for you both.”
“You’ve treated me with more kindness than I deserve.”
“Nonsense. You are a child of God, Elizabeth.” Josie gave her a hug and rose to her feet. “Come now. Dry those tears. We have a wedding to attend.”
Beth rose as well and grabbed her bouquet. With one quick look in the mirror, she saw a beautiful woman. How could that ever be her? Would Phillip find her attractive? Pink colored her cheeks as she wondered if Phillip would later hold her, and kiss her as he had in her dream. Could reality compare to that? Oh, she hoped so.
~*~
A numbness settled over Phillip as he stood at the front of the chapel with the minister, who fidgeted next to him, more nervous than Phillip was. It’d soon be over. His cravat suddenly felt too tight.
Josie swept in accompanied by a maid.
Lord Remington walked Elizabeth down the aisle.
Her beauty took his breath away. Sunlight streamed in giving her an ethereal appearance. A lovely angel. As her eyes sought his, he held them. It was as if she spoke the same message from the ball. “Help me.” He gave her a small smile and a nod. He’d not want her afraid of him, regardless of how she’d tricked him into this. He could almost believe what Marcus had told him was true, that it hadn’t been a trick. Within the next hour, she’d be hi
s. Apprehension about the ceremony vanished, and in its wake flowed a surge of protectiveness and warmth. His gaze tried to convey to her a depth of regard that was so new to him it shocked him to his toes. Reason struggled to find purchase there.
Don’t be a fool.
~*~
The light filtering in the stained-glass windows fell across Lord Westcombe standing regally at the front of the small chapel, highlighting his blond hair. She was marrying a god. Dressed in all black with the exception of a brilliantly white waistcoat with silver embroidery, even his cravat was a masterpiece. A flash of emerald green from a pin there caught her attention. His eyes were bluer than she remembered. Lightheadedness assailed her.
The young minister bumbled through the long marriage ceremony.
She barely heard what the man said as she was keenly aware of Lord Westcombe standing next to her, his posture stiff. The vows were spoken. His were strong and firm. Hers soft, but certain. She would do her best to honor this man. When he slipped the emerald ring on her finger and spoke the final words, “With my body I thee worship,” a shiver traveled through her, giving her hope.
Departing the chapel on his arm they returned to the breakfast room for a sumptuous brunch that had been prepared by Rose Hill’s chef. When the meal finished, Marcus and Josie walked the minister to the door leaving the couple alone for the first time since that inauspicious night in the library.
Phillip leaned over, clasping her hand gently. “I’d like to leave soon to head to my estate, Stanton Hall. We could travel slow so you would be comfortable, but it will mean one night at a posting inn.”
Finally, they’d be able to talk. They would have hours in a carriage to become acquainted. “That will be fine, m’lord.”
Phillip smiled. “You may call me Phillip now, we are married and I do not expect my wife to be ‘my lording’ me all day long.”
Lizzy returned a weak smile. “You may call me Elizabeth, or Lizzy, if you like.”
Phillip leaned back, gazing at her as he sipped from his glass of wine. He sat his glass down slowly, never taking his eyes off her. “Would you mind terribly if I called you Beth instead? For some reason, it seems to fit you better than Lizzy.”
Lizzy nodded mutely. Beth? Only her mother had ever called her that. It pleased her that her new husband wanted to use that name. She fought back the tears memories of her mother evoked.
“Fine. Beth, can you be ready to travel within the hour? Your maid has already been packing your bags.”
“I have no maid.”
“Elsa has consented to travel with us and become your personal maid. It is a rise in position for her. Would that suit you?”
“Yes. I brought nothing with me so my belongings are few. I could be ready in half the time if you wish it.”
“An hour will be sufficient so we can adequately say our farewells to Marcus and Josie.”
~*~
An hour later Elizabeth waved good-bye to the only friend she’d known in her life. Duke perched on top of the carriage. She was surprised at how readily Phillip accepted her pet. What dismayed her, was her recently acquired husband chose to ride astride.
They still hadn’t kissed.
At times, she could see him if she leaned forward to the window, but soon found that fatiguing. She had to admit he was a fine specimen to look at with strong, lean muscles that showed to advantage on his dashing gelding.
~*~
Phillip had left a notice to be sent to the London papers with Marcus. He still needed to write to his parents. They’d be shocked when they read the news but there was little to be done. There’d been no time to pen a missive to them explaining everything. Not that he would tell them much of anything at this point. He wondered how Lord Follett and Lord Wolton would take the news of him stealing a march on them.
It was sure to be the scandal of the week amongst the ton to find the elusive Lord Phillip Westcombe quickly marrying a woman who had disappeared at his parents’ ball.
He didn’t have time to worry about that. What was done was done. In a few weeks, they could return for the end of the season. By then a new scandal would have taken over and he’d establish Beth as his chosen wife. His mother would likely be crowing over the announcement and start making claims that she’d been aware of the love-match all along. That was how the game was played. His father might be less enthusiastic.
He glanced at the carriage where his bride rode alone. A second carriage followed with his groom, the maid, and the luggage. He admitted his cowardice to himself. He had no clue how to become acquainted with this woman who was now his wife. They’d had no courtship. She was a stranger to him. Whenever he thought back to that kiss, he wondered anew whether he’d have the patience to forestall their wedding night until they arrived at Stanton Hall. Any time spent in proximity to her left his blood simmering with just one touch. He still wasn’t sure what to believe about the sleep-walking.
Regardless of his reticence to wed, he could have done far worse than this beauty for his wife. He itched to hold her and kiss her. He’d promised himself not to do so until they were at Stanton Hall. He would make her his wife in his own bed, not at some posting house. The wait chafed at him.
At their next stop, he’d be forced to leave his horse behind and he’d be spending the remainder of the day in the carriage. Her presence was no reason to forgo the comfort of his own well-sprung equipage. The groom on the second carriage would return to Rose Hill and collect his horse to be housed there until his return. Thankfully he had a good stable even at Stanton Hall.
He only rode now to cool his passion for the woman inside the carriage. Two days of keeping his hands off a woman who was rightfully his. He owed her that honor as his wife.
After a late lunch, he joined her in the coach.
“Tell me about your pet,” he asked as he sat across from her in the rear-facing seat. The space was a buffer to intimacy.
“Duke?” she smiled. “I found him last year, having fallen out of his nest. He’d been injured. I bandaged him up and kept him hidden in the barn where my father and his guests couldn’t find him. They don’t know he exists. Duke recovered and I found him as greatly attached to me as I was to him. I’ve never had pets and very little affection. He became a good friend. I taught him tricks and how to talk and he’s been with me ever since.”
“Your father allowed a crow to come with you to London?”
She shook her head. “He knew nothing about Duke. The coachman and footmen kept him a secret and helped me bring him to London, riding on the carriage much as he is doing now. My father slept most of the way and would never notice a bird riding on top of the luggage. Duke would fly off whenever we stopped and returned when we were safely inside and on the road. Crows are quite intelligent.”
“I never realized that. You are a woman of many surprises, Beth.”
“I’m afraid some of those surprises you will find less than pleasant.” She stared out the window.
“I’m sure if I gave you every detail of my own sordid youth, especially before I befriended Lord Remington, you’d find much unpleasantness there as well. I’m prepared to like you Beth, and perhaps to even grow to love you in time. I cannot promise you a title, but I can vow to do all that is in my power to see you happy and safe.”
She turned her gaze to him and bit her lip. “You must be an angel, but I need to warn you. The battle we face may become ugly and vicious. Lord Wolton will not give up easily and my father may seek vengeance as well.”
“You are mine. As the son of a powerful earl, your father and Lord Wolton would be foolish to attempt to seek any vengeance against us. Even slander amongst the ton can be fought and overcome in time. Regardless, we are married, for better or for worse, and I am a man of honor. Trust me, Beth. It will be fine.”
“I hope you’re right, Phillip.”
A shiver of unease traveled up his spine and he shook it off. He would do what he must to keep her safe.
~*~
“I have a separate room for tonight. I did not want to consummate our wedding night in a common inn. We will wait until we arrive at my estate.” He lifted her hand and placed a kiss there. “Sleep well, Mrs. Westcombe.”
“And you too, Phillip.” She pulled her hand back and went to her room to find Elsa there to assist her in preparing for bed. Once under the covers, she fought her disappointment. At least he treated her well. Tomorrow night could not come soon enough for her. She fell asleep longing for those lips on her own instead of on her hand.
One more day.
6
Phillip stepped outside to check they were ready to depart.
Beth joined him. With a whistle, she extended her arm and a large black crow landed there. She moved him closer and he made a kissing noise as he brushed his beak against her cheek.
Phillip’s eyes grew wide.
“Lord Westcombe,” Beth began, her face turning a pretty shade of pink, “Phillip. I’d like to introduce you to Duke.”
“Hello, Duke,” the bird squawked.
“Hello.” Phillip had no desire to get close to that sharp beak.
“We’re traveling on today to Phillip’s home. You may fly along with us or rest on the carriage as you’ve done previously. We might make stops but I hope you’ll keep up with us.”
The bird bobbed his head.
Beth gave him a kiss and the bird flew off, circling overhead before settling on an overhang to watch them.
“Do you really think he understands you?” Phillip extended his hand to help her up into the carriage and followed along.
“But of course. Well, maybe not every word, but he will follow. I needed to make sure he knew I was well. He can tell that by the tone of my voice.”
“He looks as though he could be a formidable defender. You say your father and Lord Wolton knew nothing of your pet?”
Lord Phillip's Folly Page 6