Kissed at Twilight

by Miriam Minger

  “I’ll never be Viscount Linley,” Adam cut him off, his hands clenched into fists. “I told you I renounced my father and everything about him, his title, his wealth. When he dies, the Crown may have it all back with my blessing.”

  “Then you’re a fool. I believe Linette loves you, no matter the malady she suffers. I thought to discuss this sooner with you when I learned your father was ill, but I waited, anticipating your reaction.”

  “Clearly, I haven’t disappointed you.”

  Now Donovan glowered at him, and splayed his hands upon the desk to lean toward him.

  “Oh, you’ve disappointed me, Adam. I hoped you would see reason now that your father’s death is imminent. I hoped you and Linette might announce your engagement at the surprise gathering Corie has planned for next weekend after Easter. She thought that having all of her sisters around her, and our friends Lindsay and Jared, too, and all the children, might help to spur her memory—hell and damnation, man! If your hatred is stronger than your love for Linette, then you don’t deserve her!”

  Adam didn’t wait for what he fully anticipated Donovan to shout next, but stormed from the library into the foyer. He paused for only an instant to glance at the sweeping staircase, and then strode toward the front door that was already opened for Corie and Estelle and a host of servants laden with packages.

  “Adam?”

  He said nothing to Corie, moving sideways through the door past her and a startled Estelle, Luther wriggling in her arms.

  Adam didn’t stop even when Corie called after him again, his only thought to saddle Samson and ride as hard as he could from Arundale Hall and the glaring truth of Donovan’s words pounding into his brain.

  ***

  “Adam’s gone?”

  Corie nodded, her eyes filled with concern as she drew closer to where Linette sat upon the edge of her bed.

  When she’d heard the knock at the door she thought it might be Adam, accompanied by one of the lady’s maids as propriety demanded, come to see how she fared as he’d said he would. She had wondered what had kept him…wondered, too, what Donovan might have had to say to him. Now she could but stare at her older sister, panicked confusion overwhelming her.

  “I…I don’t understand. Where did he go? Why? He told me he would come to check on me. We’d been in the garden and a memory came to me, Corie—but so fleeting, and then it was gone—”

  “A memory?”

  Corie’s voice suddenly sounding almost breathless, Linette nodded and rose to pace beside the bed, her hands absently smoothing the ruffled lace on her gown. “Yes, a strange one, really. The color of the sky that day Estelle and I went for a ride, no clouds at all and the purest blue.”

  “You remember going for a ride, then?”

  “Yes…I mean, I think I do.” Linette winced at the sudden pain in her temple. “Corie, please, all of this is making my head throb again! Where has Adam gone? What did he say?”

  “Nothing, not to me, anyway. He stormed out of the house without a word.”

  “Stormed out?” Linette had stopped her pacing to look at Corie, her sister’s gaze oddly troubled as if there was something she was reluctant to share with her. “Did Donovan say something to Adam to anger him? No, that can’t be. Donovan and Adam have been as close as brothers since before we left Porthleven—”

  “Linette, let’s sit down, please. This news…it may be very difficult for you to hear.”

  Now Linette felt she could hardly breathe as Corie rushed forward in a rustling of seafoam green silk to lead her to one of the tufted chairs near the window.

  Suddenly grateful to be seated for how weak her knees had grown, she kept her gaze fixed upon Corie’s somber face as her sister pulled the other chair closer and sat down next to her. Then Corie leaned closer still and took Linette’s hands in hers.

  “Donovan received word this afternoon that Adam’s father is dying. Do you remember him ever telling you anything about his father?”

  Linette pressed her fingers to her aching temple that seemed to have grown worse. “No, he’s never spoken of him here to me…though I remember Adam once told me he was an orphan. It wasn’t true, but his father had been so terribly cruel to his mother that Adam said the man was dead to him—oh, Corie!”

  Stunned at what had suddenly tumbled forth from her, Linette gripped her sister’s hands, Corie looking as astonished.

  “Is there more?” Corie gently pressed her. “Do you remember anything else?”

  Linette bobbed her head, which only made the throbbing more painful though she couldn’t care in the least at that moment. Tears filling her eyes, and Corie’s, too, she didn’t know if she felt more like laughing or crying.

  Memories tumbled over themselves and seemed to flash before her in a dizzying flood.

  Linette glimpsing Adam at the back of the church on Christmas Day.

  Adam introducing himself in Estelle’s room as the new doctor—oh, dear, poor Estelle, Linette remembered all of that now, too.

  The joyous surprise at Luther’s safe return and then Adam turning back to kiss her under the mistletoe…oh, Lord, the warmth of his lips touching hers.

  His strong hands encircling her waist when he’d kept her from sliding off the carriage seat, and later on the way home, his heart-stopping revelation to her.

  You have bewitched me.

  Linette blinked against the tears spilling now down her cheeks as everything else that had followed after that night raced through her mind. Oh, Adam…oh, Adam!

  Her desperate hope to see him again so she might tell him she hadn’t meant to hurt him.

  The terror in the cottage. The pistol exploding behind her and then fiery pain…and the words she’d said to him before the world dimmed around her.

  You’re not in London…you’re here. Here…

  Adam, the man of her dreams.

  The man who had prayed for her and encouraged her and done everything he could to help her during her long recovery, remaining steadfastly by her side until now.

  “Corie, you must tell me,” she pleaded hoarsely, not surprised from the pang over her heart that she had little voice left to speak. “Where did Adam go? To see his father?”

  Once again, Corie seemed reluctant to answer, but then she slowly shook her head.

  “Donovan and Adam had words…harsh words. Adam refused to read the letter from his uncle about his father, Viscount Linley, begging to see him so he might ask his forgiveness. Adam made it quite clear that he wants nothing to do with his father even now, nor does he want any title or inheritance. We believe he loves you, Linette, but with everything that’s happened, Donovan can’t see him being able to protect you and care for you on a doctor’s wage—”

  “So Donovan sent him away?”

  Corie looked so sad now at Linette’s incredulous query. “No, but he might have if Adam hadn’t left first without saying goodbye to any of us.”

  “Or to me.” Linette heaved a ragged sigh, her gaze falling to her lap as Corie squeezed her hands. “I love him, too. If he hadn’t been a doctor and only a viscount, I wouldn’t be here, Corie. I wouldn’t be here.”

  For a long moment they sat there silently, until Corie rose suddenly from her chair, startling Linette, and seemed to square her shoulders.

  “Come downstairs with me. We’ll talk to Donovan, and you must tell him what you just told me, will you? If that isn’t enough to make him set out to find Adam…”

  Corie didn’t say more, as if perhaps not sure what her husband might do, but Linette felt a strong enough surge of hope that she rose to her feet alongside her sister. She flung her arms around Corie and embraced her tightly, both of them starting to laugh through a fresh welling of tears.

  “Then we’ll gather Estelle and the children straightaway,” Corie said excitedly, walking arm-in-arm with Linette to the door. “The whole household needs to know you’ve come back to us! I wanted it to be a surprise, but the weekend after Easter we’re going to host a specia
l gathering just for you. And guess who will be coming? Papa, of course, and Marguerite and Walker, and Lindsay and Jared, and their children, too.”

  And Adam? Linette couldn’t help wondering as she and Corie walked down the marble steps together. If he truly loved her, surely he would return to Arundale Hall…

  Chapter 14

  “Oh, Aunt Linette, I’m so happy you remember my birthday party again! Isn’t it wonderful for all of us to be together?”

  Linette couldn’t help but smile at Paloma, who sat next to her at the dining table that didn’t appear quite so massive with her family and dear friends gathered around it.

  Her father sat on Linette’s other side, beaming to have all of his beloved daughters under one roof. Jared and Lindsay with their two fair-haired children sat opposite her, Justin, five and a half, and Cecelia, almost four, squirming in their seats now that everyone had finished Paloma’s favorite iced lemon cake.

  Walker and Marguerite sat further down past Paloma, Marguerite holding their nearly three-year-old son, Dwight, the very image of his handsome father with his raven-black hair. Donovan presided at the head of the table with twins Draydon and Dahlia, turned six in February, flanking him. Corie sat at the opposite end cuddling one-year-old Adele atop her lap, while Estelle on her right reached down to pet Luther.

  Everyone laughing and smiling and celebrating with Linette that she felt so much better, her memory fully regained and even the headaches no longer plaguing her. How could she possibly be sad? She wouldn’t allow it, no, not even when the one she longed to see again had been gone for ten days now, through Easter last weekend and the past few days when everyone had arrived at Arundale Hall with luggage, children, and nannies in tow.

  In truth, Linette’s unflagging hope that Adam would return had dimmed as the hours had ticked by to the special dinner Corie had planned for six o’clock.

  Donovan had refused to do more than send a letter of invitation to Linley Grove the day after Adam had stormed out; as far as Linette knew, her brother-in-law had received no response from him and didn’t know if Adam had returned to Wiltshire or not to see his dying father. Donovan had told her only that if Adam came back, it would be of his own volition with no intervention from him.

  Perhaps he never received the invitation, Linette found herself thinking for the hundredth time though she refused to let heartache overwhelm her. Especially not when her father reached over to give her hand a warm squeeze.

  “I’m so thankful you are well again, Linette. So very thankful all my prayers have been answered. My daughters safe and sound. Corie and Marguerite so happily married and soon you—”

  “Papa, perhaps you’d like to join Donovan in the library,” Corie burst in, startling Linette as her eldest sister threw the oddest glance at Donovan at the other end of the table. He nodded and abruptly rose.

  “Jared, Walker. A brandy?”

  Linette felt she had scarcely blinked before the men departed while nannies swept into the dining room to gather the children. None of them made a peep of protest, their tummies full and their eyes growing sleepy. Only Paloma was allowed to remain as Corie suggested that the women retire to the drawing room.

  With the swish of silk and satin, Linette found herself flanked by Marguerite and Estelle, who looped their arms through hers and drew her along with them into the foyer.

  “Your gown is lovely, Linette,” said Marguerite, resplendent herself in a plum-colored confection that complemented the rich shade of her hair, like Estelle’s more red than brown. “The pink satin so brings out the color of your eyes—”

  “I helped Corie pick out the fabric, along with my apricot silk,” broke in Estelle as they entered the drawing room, Luther skittering past them to plop onto his cushion next to the loveseat. Linette had the strangest sense that her family was somehow trying to distract her, her sisters and niece fluttering around her like butterflies.

  “Sit here, Linette!” Paloma, so pretty in blue-dotted muslin, patted the chair next to her own, while Corie, in a shimmering turquoise gown, remained by the door.

  Facing into the room, Linette sat down while Marguerite and Estelle settled themselves on the loveseat across from her, both of them glancing past her to Corie and then back again.

  Whatever was the matter with them? Estelle fidgeted as if she couldn’t quite contain herself, only to gasp when the tall clock in the corner chimed half past seven.

  “Estelle?”

  Her sister didn’t answer her, instead clapping her hand over her mouth as Linette glanced over her shoulder to see Corie disappear from the doorway. She heard it then, the closing of the front door and the din of male voices echoing in the foyer, a deep voice in particular making her heart seem to stop.

  Oh, Lord…might it be?

  Trembling, she rose from the chair and spun around as a footman loudly announced, “Lord Linley of Wiltshire!”

  Linette couldn’t move even as her sisters and Paloma rose, too, all of them staring at the open doorway as footsteps came closer…and then he was there.

  Adam. Not dressed at all as he had before in unassuming attire befitting a doctor, but in a formal black overcoat, starched white cravat, copper-hued brocade waistcoat, and black trousers, as if to attend a ball. He bowed his head gallantly, his hazel eyes riveted upon her face as he extended his hand to her.

  “Miss Easton, will you accompany me out to the garden?”

  She thought to run to him and throw herself into his arms. Somehow she made herself walk toward him, though she sucked in her breath when his fingers touched hers.

  So strong, so warm. He looked so serious, too, but his gaze was filled with open admiration as he led her toward the double doors leading into the garden.

  As if by unseen hands they opened, Linette no more aware that footmen had appeared to throw them wide as that her family followed not far behind them.

  She felt caught in a spell, just her and Adam walking together toward the marble pavilion at one end of the garden. The heady scent of lilacs hung in the air as the setting sun’s last rays cast a pink glow all around them.

  Then they were there, Linette realizing with a soft gasp that the pavilion was lit by a dozen tall candelabra adorned with flowers. Adam drew her into the very center and turned to face her. His gaze held hers, so serious still, as he took both of her hands in his.

  “Forgive me for leaving you, Linette. Will you?”

  She nodded, tears misting her eyes. “I knew you would come back to me, Adam. But what of your father?”

  He slowly drew in his breath, clasping her hands more tightly. “We made our peace. Love won over hatred. I’m here…with you.”

  “With me.” She gasped again as Adam knelt down on one knee in front of her.

  “I’ve loved you since we first kissed. Will you marry me, Linette? Here…tonight?”

  “Oh, Adam, yes. Yes!”

  He rose so suddenly to sweep her into his arms that she felt her heart leap against her breast, and then his lips found hers.

  His kiss so wondrous, so tender, that she could but close her eyes to the twilight sky, her arms winding around him.

  She could not say how long they stood there together, embracing each other, Linette murmuring, “I love you, Adam,” against his lips…until the sound of Donovan clearing his throat, and Paloma’s giggle, made Adam lift his head.

  He didn’t look serious anymore, his smile making Linette smile, too, and laugh with some embarrassment as she realized they were encircled by family and friends. Her father, his Bible in hand, stepped forward…and only then did Linette understand his near blunder in the dining room and her sisters’ nervous excitement.

  They must have all known Adam was coming! Yet no banns had been read in church and they weren’t anywhere near her home parish—

  “A special license was procured, my love,” Adam murmured, guessing her thoughts as he drew her closer and once more clasped her hands. “Thanks to Donovan…who opened my eyes as well to how cl
ose I came to losing you.”

  Her eyes brimming with grateful tears, Linette glanced at the beloved faces of all those gathered around them…Corie and Donovan, Lindsay and Jared, Marguerite and Walker, Estelle, beaming, with Luther tucked under her arm, and sweet Paloma, who looked as if she were witnessing a fairy tale come true. Then her father lifted his voice, Linette meeting Adam’s gaze as he tenderly squeezed her fingers.

  “Dearly beloved, we are gathered together here in the sight of God…”

  One month later

  Arundale Hall, Hampshire

  “Have I ever told you that you’re an extraordinary man?”

  Donovan glanced at Corie, who sat next to him on the terrace as they watched their children run and play in the garden. She’d been smiling a moment ago, enjoying the warm May sunshine, but now she looked so pensive that he quickly sought to tease her.

  “I believe a time or two…but no more extraordinary than the woman I married. What an extraordinary pair we make!”

  “Oh, Donovan, I’m being serious,” she said with exasperation, leaning toward him in a soft rustle of pale green silk to give him a peck on the cheek. Instead he turned his head just in time to kiss her full on the mouth, and what a beautiful mouth, too, which made her erupt into laughter.

  “You’re impossible, husband.”

  “And you’re the loveliest woman I’ve ever seen,” he said, kissing her smiling lips again for good measure. “To what do I owe such a lofty compliment?”

  “I think you know,” she murmured. “My sisters and Lindsay…they all owe their happiness to you. You’re a good man, Donovan Trent, and I love you with all my heart.”