by Dawn Brower
“That we do my friend,” George agreed. “I’m assuming you’ll want this done fast before you have time to talk yourself out of it. Sometimes you are you own worst enemy.”
Charles didn’t see it that way, but in some ways he supposed he was. It was more his own pride than anything. “I won’t change my mind.” Once he made a decision he didn’t waver. He’d decided Lady Abigail was his the moment he met her. He just hadn’t realized it until he had to face the possibility of losing her forever. “This is always where I was suppose to be, and who I was meant to find. Now it’s just a matter of convincing her of the same thing.”
With those words the two of them left the townhouse. As long as everything went as it should he’d be visiting Lady Abigail before the day was done.
***
Lady Abigail paced the sitting room. She was going to be ostracized and she’d be forced into hiding. Scotland wouldn’t be far enough away. Her father was going to be so disappointed in her.
“Stop walking back and forth,” her sister demanded. “Ye are going tae wear the carpet down.”
“Listen tae ye sister,” her father said as he entered the room. “There’s nothing ye can dae tae change yer situation.”
“Father,” Abigail greeted him. “I didn’t realize ye were coming tae London.”
“I don’t wish tae be here,” he answered. He lifted her chin to force her to meet his gaze. “Yer chaperone has kept me abreast of the situation. Who is this gentleman who’s been courting ye inappropriately lass?”
Lady Abigail had trouble holding her father’s gaze. She’d never been so sorry for disappointing him. All she’d wanted was to make her father proud and she’d failed. It would be so nice if she could wind back the clock and redo everything. To never have gone to the library and then she’d have missed that first meeting with Lord Coventry. She wouldn’t be disgraced now and having to face her father’s displeasure.
“He doesn’t matter,” she answered. “There’s nothing between us.”
“On that score I disagree.” The gentleman’s voice echoed through the room. She had to be hearing things. Lord Coventry was not in their sitting room. Not once had he ever paid a call on her. Every meeting they’d had been at a social gathering. He strolled farther into the room and nodded at Abigail’s father. “Sir,” he greeted him. “I’d like permission to marry your daughter.” He gestured toward. “If she’ll have me.”
Her father lifted a brow at her. “Dae ye want tae tie yerself tae this man? Answer now lass,” he nodded at Lord Coventry. “Ye can either marry him or I can shoot him. The choice is yers.”
Her mouth fell open at her father’s words. Surely he wouldn’t actually shoot Lord Coventry. “I’m not sure yer pistol will be necessary. It seems a bit—extreme.”
“He broke yer heart didn’t he?” Her father tilted his head. “Shooting him seems tae good for a bastard that plays with a lady’s affections.”
Lord Coventry didn’t seem fazed by her father’s words. “If she refuses to marry me I’ll save you the trouble. I’ll gladly take my own pistol to myself. There is no punishment great enough to alleviate the harm I did to your daughter’s heart.” He turned to Abigail and met her gaze. “It’s my greatest regret that I failed you. That I botched our budding relationship with my callous disregard.” He dropped to his knees before her. “If there is no faith left in me, trust me on this much. My heart beats solely for you. I’ve never been in love before and didn’t recognize it for what it was. It surprised me more than it should have, but there it was growing inside of me with each breath, every beat of my heart, and through all the seconds I spent in your presence. Whenever we were separate you were all I could think about and I cannot imagine not spending the rest of my days without you by my side.” He lifted a square cut sapphire ring up to her. “I wanted a stone to match the fire in your beautiful blue eyes, but even this doesn’t manage to do them justice. Will you marry me and make me the happiest of men?”
Tears fell down her cheeks. She hadn’t realized she was crying until the wetness covered them. Abigail lifted her hand to her mouth to cover the sobs that wanted to escape. Lord Coventry, no Charles, had stolen her heart and made a romantic gesture. How was she supposed to say no?
“Are ye going tae answer the lad?” her father asked. “Or dae ye plan on leaving him on his knees for eternity. I can see why ye might think he deserves it, but I’d rather toss him out the door if ye are going tae say no.”
“Dinna ye dare,” she told her father. She dropped to her knees and hugged the earl. “Yes, so many times yes.”
“Thank God,” he said and wrapped his arms around her. “I feared you might actually say no.”
“Now that we’ve settled that we can have some refreshments,” her father said. “Belinda order tea.”
Her sister sighed and stood to leave. “But it was just starting tae get interesting…” she muttered more to herself than anyone else as she exited the sitting room.
Charles stood and then helped Abigail to her feet as well. “I have a special license,” Charles said. “Harrington helped me get it. We can get married today if you wish.”
“Ye will not have a hasty wedding as if my daughter has something tae hide.” Her father glared at him. “The banns will be read proper and ye will be married in a church.”
Charles nodded. “As you wish. May I have a moment alone with your daughter.”
“No,” her father answered. “Ye have had tae many moments alone with her as it is from what I’ve been told.”
Abigail shouldn’t laugh but the expression on Charles’s face was not one she’d forget anytime soon. He wasn’t used to being denied anything. “We’ll have time tae ourselves later. After all we do have a wedding tae plan.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. Her father glowered, but if he didn’t like it he should have given them the time Charles had requested. “You’re right of course. We have our whole lives to enjoy time by ourselves. We can certainly humor your father now.”
At the start of her day she’d never dreamed at the end of it she’d be happier than she’d ever been in her life. Now she was affianced to the man she loved beyond all reason, and soon she’d be his wife. Marriage was never something she’d wanted for herself, but sometimes life took unexpected turns. Meeting Charles had altered her course and she nothing would make her regret that she had found him. Love made everything worthwhile.
Epilogue
London, 1808
Charles shook off the rain that had settled over his jacket but it didn’t help. He was soaked through and through. The gloominess of the day fit his mood. Grief overwhelmed him and he needed to hug his wife, and then his daughter in that order. The funeral of his dear friend, George, the Earl of Harrington had nearly destroyed him. Seeing the devastation on George’s son’s face had brought him even lower. Poor, poor Jonas—he’d lost his mother and his father in the same day. One to death and the other to fear… The Duke of Southington would never have allowed his grandson to be left in the care of Sarah, the Countess of Harrington. Southington would consider her too weak to raise the future duke.
“Are ye all right,” Abigail asked. He pulled her into his arms and kissed the top of her head. They’d been married for almost eight years now. His wife and daughter were the light of his life. Without them he’d be lost. It was hard to believe he’d thought he’d never fall in love. It had changed him in so many ways.
“I’m not,” he answered. “But I will be. Is Marian awake?”
“She’s with nanny in the nursery. It is almost time for her nap.” Their daughter was four years old and completely precocious. She had her mother’s auburn hair and Charles’s green eyes. To him she was a perfect blend of the two of them. “But if ye go now ye can take over from nanny. Marian always like’s yer stories.”
He kissed Abigail one more time and then headed to the nursery. Marian jumped when he entered and ran to him. “Daddy,” she said gleefully. “You tell me a story.�
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The little hellion was demanding, but he loved her so much his heart nearly burst with it. “I might be persuaded to.” He nodded at the nanny. “You can take a break. I’ll put her down for her nap.”
“Very well, my lord,” the nanny answered and exited the room.
He carried Marian over to her bed and laid her down, then pulled her favorite blanket over her. “Now what kind of story would you like?”
“Princess,” she demanded.
“Ah, you want a story about yourself do you?” He brushed her auburn locks away from her eyes. “Those are my favorite kind too, but I think today we’ll add a prince too.”
“No, just me.”
“Prince’s need love sometimes too. This one is especially sad. He’s not as lucky as you are. You have both your mommy and daddy, but the prince has lost everyone who loves him.”
She pushed her lip out in a pout, but didn’t stop him from continuing the story. His little princess had a big heart and it would only grow more empathetic as she aged. She was more like her mother in that regard.
“He’s had a hard life. Much harsher than any prince should ever have and growing up without love will only make him push people away.”
“Like mommies and daddies?” Marian asked.
“Those that would help guide him and help him open himself up to love. It might take the love of a special person to help him find happiness again.” Charles had decided he’d be there for Jonas as he grew, but a part of him wondered if perhaps a union between his daughter, and his best friend’s son might be in their future. Only time would tell if that was possible.
“Like a princess?” Marian supplied after he was quiet for longer than she liked.
“A very special princess will help heal his heart. One day you might be the one to help heal his sadness.” He kissed her head. “Now it’s time to sleep little one.”
“Love you, daddy,” she whispered as her eyes fluttered closed. He stood and stared down at her as she slipped into dreamland. She would always be his little princess. As far as Jonas, the new Earl of Harrington, he’d do his best to help the young lord. He’d need someone to help guide him that didn’t rule him with an iron fist like the Duke of Southington, and if should fate deem it, maybe Jonas and Marian would be destined to find love together too. He rather liked the idea of George’s son being formally a part of his family…
Excerpt: When an Earl Turns Wicked
Bluestockings Defying Rogues Book One
Dawn Brower
Prologue
Southington Castle, England, 1808
The day was like any other one in England. Rainfall had become a normal enough occurrence that Jonas didn’t notice it—even as it dripped down his face, drenching him completely. He stared at the chiseled stones in the cemetery near Southington’s chapel. Only members of his family were buried there—many he never met personally. Pictures of them filled the great hall, but they were history to him, and he’d been able to distance himself from their stories. This, however, was far different.
His life would never be the same. The death of his father had marked an unchangeable truth. The duke now had control over Jonas’s life. His grandfather was a tyrant and had always attempted to browbeat his will into him. His father had been the one person he’d been able to count on. A buffer the duke couldn’t break through, and he’d tried often.
So, no, the cold didn’t matter because he was numb through and through. Rain? Paltry in comparison to what he had yet to face. The Duke of Southington, his grandfather, hadn’t started yet—mainly because he couldn’t. There were people around, and he dared not cause a scene. Once all the mourners departed, things would start to unravel ever further around him. Would his grandfather allow him to return to Eton? What about his mother? Would she have it in her to fight him? Somehow, he doubted everything and yet prayed for anything resembling his life before his father’s death.
“Lord Harrington,” a man said as he rested his hand on Jonas’s shoulder. How could he be the earl now? That was his father’s name, and he doubted he’d ever become accustomed to it. “It’s time to head back.”
He glanced up at the man as the rain continued to drip down his face. His hair was black, but had already started to turn to gray along the sides. Jonas barely knew him, but Lord Coventry had been a friend of his father’s. “I’m not ready,” he told him.
“George was a good man,” Lord Coventry said. “He loved you.”
“I know,” Jonas replied woodenly. He’d long ago stopped feeling and now went through the motions. What else could he do? Lord Coventry was correct—it was long past time to go, yet he couldn’t move. Once he left, it would all become too real for him. His grandfather would start barking orders, and he had years before he could be free of him. Three long years to be exact—once he turned eighteen he could seize control of his inheritance. As long as his grandfather didn’t find a way to break the will. “But that doesn’t change anything.”
“No,” Lord Coventry agreed. “He’s still gone, and nothing will ever bring him back.”
If Jonas were capable of crying, he’d have done so days ago. It was probably a good thing he hadn’t. Any sign of weakness would have set his grandfather off. He had to be brave, and somehow find the strength to move on sooner than he’d like. His father deserved to be mourned, but he’d understand why Jonas couldn’t openly do it. “I’m ready now.” Jonas didn’t look at Lord Coventry. He spun on his heels and began the long trek back to Southington Castle. He hated his grandfather’s home—it was as cold as he was. There wasn’t anything welcoming about it.
“Lord Harrington—”
“Don’t call me that,” Jonas interrupted. The sound of his father’s title shot pain through his already aching heart. He didn’t want to think or feel. Everything reminded him of his father and the loss that he couldn’t escape. The title… That was more than he could bear.
Lord Coventry cleared his throat. “It’s who you are now.”
“That may be.” Jonas swallowed hard. “But filling my father’s shoes is something I’m not yet prepared for. I can’t hear his title without thinking of him and what I’ve lost.”
“I understand,” Coventry said and sighed. “You’re too young to have lost your father already. If I had a son…” He shook his head. “That doesn’t matter. You have a long road ahead of you, and there’s probably no one you feel you can trust. You might not know it yet, but you can trust me.” He paused for a moment before continuing, “What would you like me to call you?”
“Nothing,” Jonas said. “I doubt we will see each other again after today.”
The older man laughed. It was a foreign sound, considering their surroundings. Sadness permeated everything around them, yet the earl had found something humorous. Coventry seemed like a likeable sort and in another time, Jonas may have liked him. Somehow, he doubted he’d find anything appealing or even joyous for a long time.
Coventry gestured toward the castle in the distance. “We shall see. Come, let’s get out of this rain.”
The earl followed behind Jonas as they entered the castle. He didn’t stay long after that. He’d spoken to the duke quietly before his departure, and the duke didn’t argue or order the earl around. That alone made Jonas wonder what they’d discussed.
“Now that everyone is gone we have some things to discuss, boy.” His grandfather stormed across the room and glared down at him. “Starting with your education… I was going to keep you here, but Coventry made a good point. You’ll need to make connections, and those are rooted in school. So, I’ll allow you to return to Eton—at least for the rest of this school year. We’ll revisit that idea before the next term.”
He owed the earl far more than he realized. Never had he truly believed his grandfather would allow him to return to school. “Thank you.”
“Don’t thank me yet,” his grandfather said gruffly. “We have a lot of work ahead of us to prepare you for the dukedom.”
H
e was barely an earl, and now he had to worry about grandfather’s title? Jonas wanted to curl up into a ball and sleep for days—no, weeks. That was the cowardly way though, and he refused to give in to it. “Where is Mother?”
“She’s gone to live with her sister,” he replied. “Your mother is too delicate for Southington. Don’t worry. Your father made sure she’d be provided for.”
His mother had abandoned him? He’d always been closer to his father, but still… She left him alone with the duke, and she was well aware of his brutish nature. He had no problems using his fists to make a point. The Harrington title was prestigious, but he wouldn’t have control of the estate for many years. They had plenty of funds as long as they did what the duke wanted. His father had decided to cut as many ties as possible with Southington. They lived in a small townhouse in London, and his father had invested in a profitable shipping company with the income he had available. They didn’t live in splendor, but they’d been comfortable.
None of it had made the duke happy, but then nothing could. He liked having control over his family, and losing it had made him cut them out of his life. That was until his father died and he saw a way to wiggle his way back in. Now, Jonas was his ward until he gained full access to his inheritance. It was not a huge sum, but it would be enough for him to break free.
“May I be excused?” The duke hit Jonas’s mouth with his fist before he was fully prepared for its impact. Jonas jerked backward involuntarily, but then gained control as quick as possible. He lifted his gaze and stared the duke in the eye, repeating his request, “May I be excused now?” Leaving without permission would prolong the torture, and he didn’t want another punch to the face, or anywhere else.
The duke nodded, and Jonas left as fast as his feet would carry him. He didn’t run as he wanted to because he would not give in to the duke’s bullying. If he darted out of the room, his grandfather would find a reason to make him stay. Instead, he walked briskly and steadily until he reached his chambers. Only then, once the door was closed and he had privacy, did he give in to the emotions raging through him. The tears he’d held in finally flowed freely, and he grieved for his father.