“That sounds just like you, Ben,” Catrin said warmly. “A crusader at heart.”
Ben laughed. “I’m not the crusader. You should point at Daniel when you say that.”
Daniel’s smile made the sharp lines of his cheeks deepen and his eyes, which looked silver in the sunlight, to dance.
“Why should I point at Daniel?” Catrin asked curiously.
“He doesn’t say so in as many words, however, I think we can all thank Daniel for Jenny’s re-emergence into society as a respectable, married woman with her reputation intact.”
Everyone looked at Daniel with interest.
“The newspapers were awfully understanding about the…crisis,” Vaughn said.
“That is quite the understatement,” Annalies said. “They made Jenny sound like a saint, suffering heroically through the most abject circumstances and bravely protecting her children.”
“All of which is perfectly true,” Jack said, his voice harsh.
“Jack, no,” Jenny said quickly. “Aunt Annalies isn’t being mean.”
Annalies looked over the top of her spectacles at Jack. “If anything, I am expressing my astonishment that the reporters for once seemed to have noticed the true facts and conveyed them, instead of latching onto the most sensational aspects.”
“That was your doing, Daniel?” Will asked.
Daniel gave a small shrug. “I may have pointed one or two writers toward considering the other side of the story. Their investigation and what they wrote was all their own work.”
“It is a good thing we have you around,” Rhys said. “You may prove useful in the future, for this family seems to be incapable of staying out of mischief for very long.”
Daniel shook his head. “You’ll have to go back to saving your own souls, I’m afraid. I’m off again, in January.”
Natasha sat up. “Daniel, no! You just got here!”
Jenny watched Catrin’s shoulders droop.
“I arrived in March, Mother,” Daniel said gently. “It’s now October and I’m itchy to see new horizons.”
“Where are you off to this time?” Raymond asked.
“The new British colony, Singapore. Or perhaps to Ireland to write about the Fenians.”
Natasha pressed her fingers to her lips. “Fenians! Daniel, your father was accused of being a Fenian. They transported him to Australia because of it.”
Daniel’s good humor faded. “I know, Mama. That is why I would like to go. However, Mr. Walter has expressed a desire for the Times to record the early years of a new country. I suspect I will be sent to Canada.”
“That’s the country in America, isn’t it?” Sharla asked.
“North of America,” Catrin corrected her. “The Hudson’s Bay colony and the French settlements joined together. Their constitution was enacted earlier this year and came into force on July first.”
Annalies smiled, then quickly hid the expression.
Daniel tilted his head, studying Catrin.
Catrin, though, leaned toward Jenny. “Where did you get that wonderful sateen, Jenny? It is so silky.”
* * * * *
The Great Family Gathering, Innesford, Cornwall. October 1867. A short while later.
Jenny laughed as Jack drew her into the cavernous entrance hall and over to the little cupboard door under the stairs. “Jack! You said you would steal me away to somewhere romantic. That cupboard is not the least bit romantic.”
He leaned against the door, his eyes dancing. “Why not? I remember being blissfully happy with you in my arms, in this cupboard.”
“I had to tell you I wouldn’t elope with you! While dust made my nose tickle and we were terrified someone standing on this side of the door would open it and discover us,” Jenny replied. “No, I refuse to go in there, Jack. I would never get the grime out of this dress and it is new.”
Jack pulled her around and put her back to the door, instead. His hands lingered on her waist. “It is a very pretty dress, Lady Guestwick. I would rue its ruin, too.” He pressed against her. “The gleam of the fabric makes me want to run my hands over it.”
Jenny shivered. “You have run your hands over it many times already today,” she pointed out.
He kissed her, his lips lingering, making her heart hurry and her body to tighten with delicious tension. “I do have something to ask of you,” he murmured. “Just as I did the first time we were in this cupboard.”
“I can’t marry you, Jack. I have already done that.”
Jack’s smile was brief. “It only took more than a dozen requests before you said yes, too. I hope you won’t be quite so stubborn about this question.”
“Stubborn!” Her breath caught.
Jack pressed his lips to hers once more, then drew back so he could study her face. “My family…my other family, I should say. They have finally had the courage to cut me off. I’ve been requested to vacate the townhouse and the estate in Lincolnshire…not that I was using the manor at all. Only, now it is formal and official.”
“Oh Jack, I’m so sorry,” Jenny whispered. “We haven’t been using the townhouse for very long.”
“I am not,” Jack said. “I should have done this many years ago. Now that it is official, I am free to build you a beautiful house, anywhere you want, and fill it with whatever comforts your heart desires.”
“Will there be bacon for breakfast every day?” she asked, smiling.
“You can have a pound of it, if you wish.”
“How marvelous, Jack.”
“Only, I would like to wait a few years, if you do not mind, my love.”
“Wait for what?”
“That is my question, Lady Guestwick. How would you feel…would you be comfortable…I mean…” He hesitated.
Jenny gave his jacket lapels a little shake. “Just say it, Jack,” she coaxed.
“It’s an odd thing to ask,” he told her.
“In this family? I doubt it could be all that strange.”
“I want us to live with Natasha and Raymond on their estate in Sussex,” Jack said. “Vaughn is taking Mama Elisa there to live, now, and leaving Fairleigh for Will. Elisa isn’t strong enough to face any more seasons in London. They will take Blanche and Emma with them, of course. Annalies and Rhys already live there and Iefan and Morgan have spoken about removing from London during the winter, too.” Jack hesitated, his gaze moving over her face. “I know a man should provide for his wife, only this feels…”
“It is perfect,” Jenny said quickly. “To live with the family and be together, amongst them? It is divine, Jack!”
He kissed her. “I suspected you would feel that way, my love. Thank you.”
“Only, we had better arrange to move rather soon,” she added.
He straightened, frowning. “I was thinking that summer would be soon enough…”
Jenny rested her hand on the flat front of her bodice. “Definitely before Easter, my dear husband.”
Jack closed his eyes for a moment. He let out a gusty breath and held her tightly. “I love you with every shred of my being.” Then he let her go and picked up her hand.
“To tell everyone the news?” she guessed.
“To tell the family, yes.”
They hurried back outside.
VEIL OF HONOR
About Veil of Honor
Bridget’s downfall at the hands of a duke forces Will to save her.
Lady Bridget is determined to marry well, to a man not of the great family.
When the Duke of Taplow takes advantage of her, William Wardell, heir to the Marquis of Farleigh and great family member, is forced to marry her himself to save her reputation…which also happens to remove the family pressure upon him to wed and get himself an heir.
The agreement only brings more strife into their lives for they are both stubborn, willful and most definitely not the marrying kind…
Praise for Veil of Honor
William, a sigh worthy hero.
This author puts you squarel
y back into history with the sights, sounds and scents of the times.
Bravo! And may this great family continue to flourish and grow.
I particularly enjoyed the era this story is set on, where women are starting to come forward and fight for their rights, industry is about to be born and still honor is best fought for in the old ways.
I don’t give many 5-Star reviews because I’m just that picky. This book gets one because it is so well-written.
Even when you think you can't be surprised, there is a twist, a turn, a scandal that will.
The conversations at the gatherings are so natural and flowing that I feel like I am actually there.
I have to admit that I tried to figure out just how the story would play out but my guesses were not even close. Just a great read.
I enjoyed this story immensely, especially the process of the characters maturing and evolving into the solid relationship with each other they both deserve.
This was so good. A great addition to this series about a great family.
“Something most of society would call contemptible and fit for nothing but poets and dreamers, yet it is the burning heart of this family and its greatest strength” My heart melts!
The Great Families
Elisa and Vaughn Wardell
Marquess of Fairleigh, Viscount Rothmere
1825 Raymond, Viscount Marblethorpe (stepson)
1839 William Vaughn Wardell
1839 John (Jack) Gladwin Lochlann Mayes (fostered in 1846)
1842 Sarah Louise Wardell (D)
1843 Peter Lovell Wardell
1844 Gwendolyn (Jenny) Violet Moore Wardell (adopted in 1848)
1844 Patricia Sharla Victoria Mayes (fostered in 1846)
1849 Blanche Brigitte Colombe Bonnay (adopted in 1851)
1853 Emma Jane Wardell (adopted at birth)
Natasha and Seth Williams
Earl of Innesford, Baron Harrow (Ire.)
1839 Lillian Mary Harrow
1840 Richard Cian Seth Williams
1841 Neil Vaughn Williams
1843 Daniel Rhys Williams
1846 Bridget Bronte Williams & Mairin May Williams
1849 Annalies Grace Williams
Annalies and Rhys Davies
Princess Annalies Benedickta of Saxe-Weiden, of the royal house Saxe-Coburg-Weiden, Formerly of the Principality of Saxe-Weiden.
1835 Benjamin Hedley Davies (adopted in 1845)
1842 Iefan William Davies
1843 Morgan Harrow Davies
1843 Sadie Hedley Davies (adopted in 1845)
1846 Bronwen Natasha Davies
1848 Alice Thomasina Davies (adopted at birth)
1849 Catrin Elise Davies
And their children:
Natasha and Raymond Devlin
Viscount Marblethorpe
1857 Vaughn Elis Devlin (Raymond’s heir)
1861 Richard Seth Devlin
Lilly and Jasper Thomsett
1862 Seth Eckhard Thomsett (heir)
1863 Elise Marie & Anne Louise Thomsett
1864 George Jasper Thomsett (stillborn)
Sharla and Dane Balfour + Benjamin Hedley (Davies)
Duke of Wakefield
1867 Jennifer Jane Balfour & Benjamin Dane Balfour (heir)
1868 Alice Thomasina Balfour
Bronwen Natasha Davies and Archeduke Edvard Christoffer of Silkeborg
1870 Christina Clara Elisa Bronwen
John (Jack) Gladwin Lochlann Mayes and Gwendolyn (Jenny) Violet Moore Wardell-Ryder
Baron Guestwick, heir to the Marquess of Laceby
1864 Jackson Vaughn Ryder
1866 Stuart Theodore Ryder
1869 Phillip Dane Mayes
Chapter One
The Great Family Gathering, Innesford, Cornwall. October 1863.
Bridget knew she would lose the croquet game as soon as she took her first shot, for Will and Jack were sitting in the canvas lounging chairs at the side of the court. Will’s dry comments every time someone struck a ball made her laugh too hard to give winning a serious attempt.
Besides, her skirt hems kept getting in the way. She should tuck and pin the hems above her hoops and petticoats as everyone else was doing. However, she had only come out into society in June this year and she didn’t want to look like a child anymore.
Although her older sister Lilly had her skirt rucked up high enough to show off a foot of cotton and lace. She laughed and swung her croquet mallet with abandon, while Jasper observed appreciatively. Not even their announcement at lunchtime that Lilly was expecting for the second time seemed to decrease Lilly’s energetic enthusiasm.
Lilly took her shot. Her mallet whacked the red ball, which careened off Bridget’s yellow ball and sent it rolling across the green. With glum certainty, Bridget tracked the yellow ball bounce as it hit the softer, unrolled grass in front of the spectators, then flash beneath the chairs.
Will, Jasper and Jack bent to watch it disappear beneath them.
“That’s about as out of bounds as one could get,” Jasper declared. He twisted to look over his shoulder as the ball crunched across the gravel in front of the big house and came to a stop.
Travers, Cian’s butler, lifted his foot and stepped over the obstruction, then carried on as if it had not been there at all. He didn’t even look down at his feet.
“Oh, out-of-bounds suits Miss Bridget completely,” Will drawled.
Bridget put her hand on her waist. “What on earth does that mean?”
“Shall I fetch the ball, Bridget?” Jasper asked.
She shook her head. “No, I will play it where it lays.”
“It’s too far, Bridget,” Mairin murmured. “Take the penalty, instead.” Mairin was Bridget’s partner for this game, which was the first time they had played together this year. Every year before this, they had always played together. When had they decided not to do that? There had been no discussion about it, whereas Bridget had spent her life discussing everything with her twin.
Only, in the last few weeks—perhaps, since their coming out—Bridget had noticed uncomfortable signs of…well, distance between her and Mairin. Even their choices in clothing had changed. Mairin was wearing an afternoon dress, while Bridget had settled for a comfortable shirt and a jacket over her skirt, a combination that allowed vigorous sports.
Mairin even wore her hair in the low style at the back of her head that everyone was wearing these days. Bridget preferred to keep her back hair knotted at the top of her head. She was in favor of fashionable dress, but not to the point of aping everyone on the ton.
When had little things like their hair and dress changed between her and Mairin? Bridget couldn’t point to any particular moment. Everything had shifted like the seasons. Now she was looking out a proverbial window, surprised to see that summer had arrived.
She dismissed the uncomfortable thought and told her twin, “I can play the ball from where it is.”
“Oh ho!” Will cried, standing up. “The lady rises to the challenge. Out of the way, Jasper.”
“I’m well out of range,” Jasper said complacently, turning his pleasant features up to the sun. “Bridget is not that bad a shot.”
“Thank you, Jasper,” Bridget said. She picked up her skirt and moved across the grass, stepping around croquet hoops and over balls, heading for the gravel. “Although you must move, Will,” she added.
He picked up the lounging chair in which he had been sprawled. “Voila.”
“No, I mean, out of the way,” Bridget told him as she moved through the narrow aisle he had made by picking up the chair. “I must really hit this, if I am to make it back to the court in one.”
“Impossible,” Will said, following her across the gravel to where the yellow ball sat at the end of the shallow trench it had smoothed out in the gravel. “Is it even in the rules, to play back onto the court that way?” Will preferred cricket to croquet.
“It most certainly is,” Bridget said firmly, turning to set
herself up for the shot. In truth, she wasn’t certain if it was part of the official rules at all.
“It’s a Williams family rule, I believe,” Lilly called from behind them. “I’ll abide by the rule, if you can make it back in one, Bridget.”
“Thank you,” Bridget said. She bent to line up the mallet behind the ball. Her hem brushed the side of the mallet, obscuring her view.
Bridget frowned. “That won’t do.” She handed her mallet to Will, who had the chair tucked under one arm. “Please hold that for a moment.”
He took the mallet, smiling. In the shade cast by the big house, his blond hair looked gold instead of white and the pointed, trimmed beard looked thicker. He wasn’t screwing up his eyes, so she could easily see their deep sea blue color.
She smiled at him as she hooked up her skirt, trying to lift it out of the way while preserving her dignity as much as possible. “Now, hold this.” She held out the excess folds of her skirt.
Will raised his brow. “I have no hands left,” he pointed out.
“Coward,” Jack called out. “I’ve seen you juggle a cigar, a brandy glass and your whist hand without breaking sweat.”
Will looked affronted. “Brandy doesn’t slither and slide,” he pointed out.
Bridget rolled her eyes and took back the mallet with her left hand. “There you are. Now you have a hand free.”
Will made a great pretense of reaching out with reluctant fingers to pinch the roll of brushed cotton between his strong thumb and forefinger. “Quickly….!” he begged, sounding on the verge of panic. “I think it just moved!”
As everyone laughed, Bridget settled the mallet back behind the ball. She took her time. The shot would have to be powerful for the ball to make it back across the gravel and the longer grass. She needed to place it in a position on the court that would let her recover from Lilly’s destructive cannon.
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