The Lady's Hero

by Carolyn R. Scheidies

  “After most guests were gone. This morning.”

  A frown wrinkled the older man’s forehead. “By then did you not realize the import of the evening?”

  Edward shook his head and lowered it into his hands. “I did not listen to the tittle-tattle around me and tried to stay away from my sister and Lucashire. I simply watched, when I...”

  “Wasn’t occupied with the young woman who has captured your heart.” This time a slight smile drew up the corners of the man’s lips.

  Raising his head, Edward took note and again shook his head. “I had no notion the affair was an engagement celebration until after...” he continued to explain.

  His mentor sat back. “Oh, Edward. I hoped you would realize the folly of your suspicions. Now what do you propose to do?”

  “What else to do? Angella is well situated. I cannot expect her or the earl or Betsy to ever forgive me. I will leave for India as soon as I can book passage.” He sighed and slumped as though bearing the weight of the world—at least the weight of his actions and words. It was a heavy burden.

  “So you let Betsy think you had intentions of asking for her hand, and now you will run out on her?”

  Edward spread his hands. “I have nothing to offer and now I have shamed myself before them with my rackety accusations.”

  Edward stared at his mentor. His hands clasped together. His heart a stone.

  “So you are running away.”

  “No. Yes... I don’t know anymore.” Misery churned his stomach.

  “You should know, Edward, that running away never solved any problem. You feel guilt over your actions and behavior. What will you do about that?”

  “Repent, of course.”

  “You cannot do that here? Do you not think your sister, the earl and your young lady deserve an apology? Or is that too embarrassing for you?”

  Edward squirmed. He did not like the picture of him painted by his mentor.

  “Running away is not the answer, son. You’ll only take this with you and it may well destroy your ministry. You need to confront the issue...and that starts with a time with the God who created you, loves you and understands us even when we do not understand ourselves.”

  As Edward nodded, Reverend Jeremiah leaned forward. “Shall we pray now?”

  Edward merely nodded. The session that followed cleansed him and set him free as he had not felt free since visiting with the vicar. “Thank you, Jesus, for Your forgiveness when we come to You.” When he raised his head, he smiled. “It is gone.”

  “Yes, I see that. Now what will you do?”

  Edward stood. “If I can use your rig again, I have an important errand to attend at Alistair House, correct? That is where they are staying.”

  “It is.”

  “You knew.”

  His mentor merely smiled. “Go now.”

  Edward pulled on his gloves as he headed out the door. Suddenly he could not wait to see his sister...and Betsy.

  * * *

  By the time the young women arrayed themselves in walking dresses, Lucashire had the lightweight curricle out front. He quickly handed Angella and Betsy into the conveyance, where they squeezed together as he hopped on board and took up the reins.

  At his signal, the perfectly matched bays with their shiny red coats and black manes and tails pulled on the traces. A moment later, they shifted into a trot and stretched out as Lucashire gave them rein. They were fresh and eager and the earl held them in a bit to keep control, while allowing them freedom to move as quickly as the road and traffic conditions allowed.

  Betsy held on to Angella’s cold hands. They exchanged glances and each read the concern on the face of the other. “We must find him.” Angella spoke in Betsy’s ear, who nodded her agreement.

  There was little to say, but Betsy closed her eyes and tried to focus on prayer. Her disordered heart clouded her mind and she choked out a “Help us, Jesus” request. She felt the squeeze on her hand and knew Angella echoed her concern.

  Regrets at how she had handled her contact with Edward sat heavy upon her. Yet, for all that, he had asked to speak with her.... Something about the expression in his eyes had given her hope. But now... Now she felt disaster crashing about her and suspected Angella felt much the same.

  She sighed with relief when they reached their destination. An elderly servant showed them into the library, where her cousin stepped forward to greet the corpulent man rising to his feet. After their greeting, he asked, “What brings you here?”

  “Edward,” started Angella, “my brother—”

  “Reverend Denning,” added Betsy.

  The earl finished, “He resides here, does he not?”

  “He does.”

  Angella stepped forward. “We must speak with him straightaway.”

  Betsy thought she witnessed the hint of a smile on the man’s lips. “To what purpose?”

  For a moment no one spoke. The next all three spoke at once until the minister raised a hand. “One at a time, please.”

  Lucashire straightened. “I fear there has been a great misunderstanding and Edward rushed away before things could be resolved.”

  Angella said, “I fear he might do something rash.”

  Betsy heard the tremble in her tone. “Please, might we speak with him?”

  For a long moment, the minister surveyed them. “He is not here.”

  “No!” Angella clasped her hands. “Surely he could not have left for India so soon.”

  Betsy gulped. “Please, Reverend.”

  “We spoke and yes, he had every intention of returning to his ministry, but right now...” he paused “...he is headed to Alistair House to set things right. I suggest—”

  Betsy interrupted, “We head back there immediately.” Realizing her lack of manners, she flushed. Though from the twinkle in the man’s eyes, she knew he understood.

  Not long thereafter, the now not-so-fresh horses headed back to Alistair House. Betsy cried, “What if we miss him?”

  “We won’t.” Her cousin stood as he directed the horses. “I know a few shortcuts.”

  He did and they weren’t through the nicest parts of town, but it was not long before he handed them out of the curricle and escorted them back into the house.

  “Davies, has Reverend Denning arrived?”

  The butler acknowledged the earl. “I thought you’d return, so I put him in the east parlor.”

  Angella all but bounced up and down. Betsy sighed with relief. Her cousin held out his arms and escorted them to Edward.

  * * *

  Hearing the door open, Edward turned. His stomach knotted in dread at seeing the three enter. He must get this over with before he lost his courage completely. As the three drew close, he opened his mouth, but Lucashire forestalled him. “Let us sit.” They did, staring at one another awkwardly.

  Edward, unable to stay seated, rose. He gulped, paced. “I tender my apologies for running away. I am deeply shamed by my behavior.”

  Angella reached for his arm as he passed by, but missed. “Oh, Edward. You do not need—”

  “Yes, sis, I do.” He gathered his thoughts. “There are those who do what they do for the glory and honor of men. There are others who do not even realize they are betraying their faith, their personal values and standards until it is done. At some time or other we’re all hypocrites, doing or being something that we do not feel inside. Truth is, without a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, we can be little else.”

  He paused, bit his lip as he glanced toward Lucashire and away. “I never thought to feel this way. I’ve never known such anger as I’ve felt for you these past weeks. To my shame, I must confess I nurtured it, let it consume me. Even while I spoke of my great love for the Indian natives, I let my feelings blot out rational th
ought. My relationship with my Heavenly Father suffered, as well.” He sighed deeply.

  “For all that, for the distress I have caused you, I am truly repentant.” He tried to smile. Failed.

  “I tried to run. Afraid my mentor had something to say about that.” Edward shook his head, taking in his audience, who listened, scarcely breathing. “I can wallow in my own misery, but I know God forgives. He has forgiven me...will you, can you forgive me, as well?” His voice broke as he knelt before his sister where she sat next to the earl on the sofa.

  Tears started in Angella’s eyes and coursed down her cheeks.

  “Angella?”

  “I...do...forgive you, Edward. I love you.”

  “You have my forgiveness, too, Edward.” Lucashire held out his hand. Edward gripped his firmly. As he rose to his feet, Angella wept against Lucashire’s shoulder. The look on the man’s face revealed more than anything else the tenderness he felt for Angella. How could Edward not have realized during the ball when he thought he’d been observing with such objectivity?

  As she gathered her composure, Angella sniffed, wiped her eyes on the linen square the earl handed her and asked, “Edward, you will stay until after the wedding, will you not? I do so wish you to give me away.”

  “You want me to stay?” Edward gulped. He really would like to be here to see his sister married.

  “We would. Spensor?” Angella turned to her betrothed, her face a question. Lucashire glanced from her to Edward. “You must stay, Edward. It will please your sister...and myself.”

  “Then I shall stay. Thank you.” He hardly knew how to deal with the enormity of their forgiveness. He’d returned to see to his sister. She had found her feet right and tight. He could return to India with a clear conscience—and as soon as possible.

  The voice inside asked, “What about Betsy?”

  Yes, he needed to make amends there, as well. Angella and the earl seemed to be of the same mind. The earl assisted Angella to her feet as he nodded toward his cousin. “Edward, I think you wanted to speak with Betsy.” With that, they left the room, leaving him facing the one woman who took away his breath and tied his tongue.

  Edward beheld the doubt on Betsy’s face. “Edward?” Uncertainty sounded in her tone. Edward picked up on it and color suffused his cheeks as she continued. “If you do not wish to speak with me, it—it is all right.”

  “No. I mean yes. I do wish to speak with you. Must speak with you,” he babbled and flushed in turn.

  Betsy tugged his arm. “Edward, calm down. I will not ring a peal over you for running away. I am sorry I got in the way of you seeing your sister. I should not...”

  This time, Edward sucked in a breath. “Yes. Yes you should have. You did what you needed to do to protect my sister and...” a crooked smile formed on his lips as he continued “...your cousin. I thank you for almost saving me from myself.”

  “Almost?”

  “I did rather make a cake of myself earlier this morning in the drawing room.” He shook his head. “I am so sorry, Betsy. More than I can convey.”

  She nodded. “And I accept. I am glad you shall remain for the wedding. I take it you will then return to India.” She blinked back tears as she faltered on the words.

  His heart cried out. Oh, Betsy. The thought of leaving her behind already felt devastating.

  As though coming to a decision, Edward held out his hand. When she placed hers in his, he drew her to her feet. Her hands felt cold in his. “You would miss me?”

  Confusion brought a delightful blush to her cheeks at the intensity of his gaze. She bit her lip, pulled her hands free and tugged at her sleeve, all nervous gestures Edward now recognized. “Very much so.”

  Edward tucked her hand in his elbow and led her to the large patterned sofa by the hearth filled with flowers. Their fragrance overpowered the senses. He felt Betsy tremble. He did not wish to frighten her, but she had to know the truth of his life.

  “Betsy, my life is not easy. I have little, hours are long. Amenities are few as is contact with other British citizens.” He continued. “The people of India are colorful and caring. But there are so many needs and there is such darkness. Conversions are few and difficult because following Christ doesn’t just mean a change of religions, but often a death sentence from a convert’s own family.”

  Betsy gasped and wiped tears starting in her eyes. “How sad. They need so much. Oh, Edward, I envy you the opportunity.”

  He sat up as hope settled in his eyes. “Truly. Envy?”

  “La.” Betsy frowned. “I’ll miss wrangling with you.”

  “Betsy.” Edward took her hand. “Is there someone else? Does anyone hold your heart? I saw...”

  Betsy shook her head. “Afraid the marquis tried to press his suit, but no...there is no one... As for Fritton, he is more like a brother than a suitor, though he wishes differently.”

  Edward did not wait for her to finish. “I have no right to ask. I have no title or expectations. My work is far from England and your mother. But...but...you have captured my heart. Would you, possibly, at least consider marriage to a missionary—me? I know—”

  “Yes.” Betsy’s gaze caught and held his own.

  “What?” Her answer stunned him. Mayhap she did not understand.

  A tiny smile lifted Betsy’s lips. “I said, yes, Edward. Yes, I will marry you.”

  For a moment, Edward stared at her. Then with aching gentleness, he took her in his arms, leaned over and pressed his lips to hers.

  Epilogue

  The Earl of Alistair, dressed to the nines in a black jacket, entered the room, filled with Georgian furnishings, in which Betsy and Angella waited. Angella turned so quickly, Betsy grabbed her arm to steady her. Angella’s gown eddied around her silver slippered feet. Vertical silver threads made the white gown sparkle. The long, tight sleeves ended in a delicate ruffle echoed along the hem line. The neckline ended in a modest V that showed off the Lucashire emerald necklace.

  Betsy surveyed her own gown of antique white with a square neckline and short puffed sleeves that set off her shoulders. The bodice sparkled with pearl insets.

  She’d never had a gown so fine and could not wait to stand before Edward at the altar. She smiled. Had it been but two weeks ago she and Edward announced their engagement? Angella would hear of nothing less than a double wedding, causing everything to be sixes and sevens in preparation.

  Her concern for her mother turned into a surprise when her mother confided she had little reason to stay in England. If the couple did not mind, she would like to travel with them to India, though she would stay with the other British citizens once they arrived. Lucashire, she said, would see to the estate.

  To Edward’s amazement and gratitude both Lucashire and Alistair agreed to send regular support. Through it all, Betsy walked in a fog, soaking up the love and attention Edward showered upon her. Even with her head muddled, things came together until, today, she would become Edward’s wife. How far she’d come from the young girl who fell in love with him from a painting.

  Angella clasped her hands, whispering, “Soon you will, in truth, be my sister.”

  Bowing, Alistair held out his arms. Angella’s face lit with joy as she put her hand on his arm. Betsy’s hand shook as she took his other arm. In two days’ time she and Edward, along with her mother, would board a ship for India. No merchant ship this time. Lucashire made arrangements on the finest vessel sailing south and called it a gift from himself and Angella. Betsy swallowed the lump in her throat. God was indeed a God who was working even when she thought all was lost. Mayhap through it all she had finally learned, at least in a small way, to trust the Lord really did know best.

  As the soft music sounded and the doors opened, she and Angella stepped forward to meet their bridegrooms.

  * * * * *
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  ISBN-13: 9781460323458

  THE LADY’S HERO

  Copyright © 2013 by Carolyn R. Scheidies

  All rights reserved. By payment of the required fees, you have been granted the non-exclusive, non-transferable right to access and read the text of this e-book on-screen. No part of this text may be reproduced, transmitted, down-loaded, decompiled, reverse engineered, or stored in or introduced into any information storage and retrieval system, in any form or by any means, whether electronic or mechanical, now known or hereinafter invented, without the express written permission of publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental. This edition published by arrangement with Harlequin Books S.A.

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