The Viscount's Wife: Christian Victorian Era Historical (Window to the Heart Saga Spin-off Book 4)

by Jenna Brandt

  Debbey shook her head. “It has nothing to do with what you told me.”

  William’s eyebrows came together in a furrow. “Then what made you ill?”

  Debbey straightened up and looked William in the eyes. She took his hand in her own and placed it on her stomach. “I’m with child.”

  His eyes grew wide with shock as he stammered out, “Are you certain?”

  She nodded.

  “How long have you known?”

  “A few weeks.”

  With hurt in his voice, he accused, “Why did you not tell me?”

  “At first, I wanted to be sure before I told anyone. Then, I wanted to find the right moment which never seemed to happen.”

  With a chuckle, William asked, “And this seemed like the right moment? Me holding your hair while you were violently ill?”

  She smiled at him and let out a laugh of her own. “Not exactly, but I’m tired of waiting.”

  William pulled her towards him, reached out and placed his hand on the side of her face. “I love you, Debbey, more than anything in this world, and I already love this baby,” he stated as he let his other hand rest back on her stomach.

  “I love you too, William. I’m so sorry I ran away and didn’t give you a chance to explain. I promise I will never distrust you again.”

  “And I promise you, I will never give you another reason.”

  William smiled down at Debbey who returned the look. Slowly, he pulled her into a loving embrace, ushering in a deepened bond between husband and wife.

  Chapter 34

  William and Debbey decided they would not confront his mother until they had evidence as to what she did. It wasn’t that they didn’t believe Clara. It was because they knew Lady Almonbury would excuse away the testimony without evidence to back it up.

  It was difficult waiting for an opportunity to search for the needed proof. One afternoon, while Lady Almonbury thought she was secretly meeting with the earl in the gardens, William took the opportunity to go into his mother’s suite. He searched her desk. In it he found letters detailing all the plans Clara had described along with some other disturbing news.

  William asked Debbey to accompany him to the estate’s garden. Just as Clara described previously, her mother was still there, fawning all over the Earl of Bunsdure. When she witnessed them coming, she jerked back from him with a guilty look on her face.

  “There you are mother. We need to speak . . . now,” he said, giving a narrowed glance towards the earl.

  “I will be on my way then,” the older man stated, his eyes averted as he started to walk away from the group.

  “You might as well stay. This concerns you.”

  The earl stopped moving and turned around to face them. He did not look pleased to be talked to in such a manner. William did not care.

  “Mother, it has been brought to my attention that you are responsible not only for what happened at the ball, but also all of the events that occurred. You wanted to make Debbey look like she was ill with rabies.”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about,” Lady Almonbury declared with indignation.

  With a heavy sigh, William pulled out of his pocket a stack of letters. He shook them at her while saying, “I thought you might say as much. This is why I made the decision to search your desk for proof. The letters between the two of you share everything in detail.”

  “What are you planning to do with those?” his mother asked with worry.

  “Nothing yet. It depends on what you do next.”

  Lady Almonbury glanced first towards the earl, then over at William and Debbey. “You probably are expecting me to apologize, but I will do no such thing.” With a hateful stare towards Debbey, she hissed, “That woman will be the downfall of this family, mark my words.”

  “You are wrong, Mother. By the choices you made, you have endangered this family. If any of this came out, it would ruin not only us, but the earl’s family as well.”

  This time, the earl’s anger boiled over as he shouted, “That is enough, William. You have no right to speak to us this way, or make threats. I am your superior.”

  William moved towards the older man and started to raise his hand to strike him. Thinking better of it, he forced himself to hold his hand. “Only in title, sir. I know how you have been carrying on with my mother long before my father died. You were supposed to be his good friend. Not to mention the fact you have been using your own daughter without her knowledge in schemes. First, you plot with my mother to try to marry her off to my brother, but before you can announce the engagement, he dies. Then you plot with her to ruin my marriage in order to set me up to be your daughter’s new match. What type of man behaves in such a manner?”

  “I have had enough of this. I will be leaving this instant,” the earl threatened as he started to turn away again.

  “If you leave, I will release the letters to the press.”

  Lady Almonbury gasped. “You would not dare.”

  “Try me, Mother. I tired of this world and all its hypocrisy a long time ago. I am not afraid to burn it down to the ground, take the family money and move back to West Linn the very next day.”

  “Why are you being so hostile about all of this, William?”

  “You have the audacity to ask me why? I was fuming when I found out what you did from Clara, but when I found the letters, and I found out the worst part of all, I saw red. How could you continue to do all of this knowing Debbey was pregnant with your grandchild?”

  Tears filled Debbey’s eyes as she shook her head. “You knew I was with child and still wanted to have me hauled off to a sanitarium. What did I ever do to you to make you hate me so much?”

  “You are not good enough for my son,” Lady Almonbury stated haughtily. “He deserves better than you. He deserves a woman who was raised to be the Viscountess Braybridge; not some country bumpkin from America who saw her chance to grab money and a title through a naive boy.”

  “You have no idea who my wife is, or what she is like because you never took the time to get to know her. If you had, you would know what you just said could not be further from the truth.”

  “I stand by my statement. I saw what she was the day she entered my house in that ill-fitting excuse for a dress with no proper training and that wretched dialect.”

  “You’re never going to accept me, are you?” Debbey asked with sadness.

  “No, I will never consider you part of this family.”

  “Then you have made my decision for me, Mother.”

  “What decision?” Lady Almonbury inquired with veiled concern.

  “I am banishing you from the London and Brighton estates. You will remove yourself by day’s end and retire to the York estate. You are free to make up an excuse to your friends via correspondence, but if I so much as hear you disparage my wife ever again, I will throw you out on the streets.”

  With a shocked gasp, Lady Almonbury started to plead. “Please, William do not do this. I am an old woman. I want to be near my friends and family for my last days.”

  “You are widowed and free to remarry.” He turned his attention to her lover and stated, “Perhaps the earl would choose to marry you and free you from your consequences.”

  “I know it’s earlier than I had hoped to bring up the matter, but I am free to remarry now,” Lady Almonbury stated as she reached out placing her hand on the earl’s arm.

  With a frown, the earl stepped back and out of reach. “I am not sure where you got the impression I ever planned to remarry.”

  “What do you mean by that? I thought it was quite obvious that since both our spouses are now gone, we are free to be together openly.”

  “You are mistaken, Priscilla. I am sorry, but I will not be marrying you, now or ever. I would suggest you take your son’s offer and retire to the York estate.” The earl turned on his heels and left Holston House.

  For several seconds, Lady Almonbury looked utterly shocked. She blinked several times before sh
e turned her attention back to her son. “William, you cannot seriously mean to send me to York. That place has no social life whatsoever. Your father simply bought the estate for a financial investment. Whatever would I do there?”

  William shrugged. “I could care less. Be grateful you are not being turned out on the streets as you deserve.” With a disgusted look, William dismissed his mother. “Get out of my sight before I change my mind.”

  Lady Almonbury must have realized there was no point in arguing any longer. With an angry frown on her face, she took off towards the house.

  Debbey turned to face her husband. “It’s alright if you want to change your mind about sending your mother away. You don’t have to stick to your resolve for my sake.”

  “What a testament to your character. After all my mother has done, you still wish to forgive her and let her transgressions go. Despite your kindness, my mother cannot be trusted. This means she cannot stay with us.”

  William pulled Debbey towards him until she was snuggled against his frame. “I do not want to think about any of that ever again. Instead, I want to focus on our future.”

  “We do have a lot to be thankful for, don’t we?”

  With a nod, William chuckled. “I cannot believe I will be a father in a few short months.”

  Debbey shook her head. “You say short, but may I remind you, I am the one carrying this baby. There is nothing quick about the process.”

  “What can I do to make it easier?”

  “Perhaps a giant piece of berry tart?”

  “I have heard women who are pregnant have cravings for certain foods. Is this such an occasion?”

  She nodded. “I have been thinking about eating one for the past two days.”

  With a lop-sided grin, William stated, “I will have the baker make one especially for you this evening.”

  Debbey reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck. “In the meantime, I will settle for a kiss.”

  “Oh, you will settle for one, will you? I think I need to make it extra-long and delicious just to show you it can push the tart straight out of your mind.”

  With a giggle, Debbey teased, “I think that will prove difficult, my lord.”

  “You have no idea how capable I can be when tested.” William whispered against Debbey’s lips. A second later, he let his mouth close the distance between them, searing her with a kiss that made her shiver as she sighed against his mouth.

  Pulling his mouth back just for a moment, William implored, “Is it working yet?”

  With a twinkle in her eye, she taunted, “I think I still need a little more convincing.”

  “My pleasure, my lady,” William said with a smile as his mouth came down and claimed her own as his once more.

  Epilogue

  Debbey took one last look at herself in the mirror, making sure her attire was on point for the dinner party she was hosting. She heard giggling from behind her, and turned to see Matilda standing behind her.

  “You look pretty,” the little girl whispered.

  “Thank you,” Debbey bent down and hugged her tiny ward. “Nanny Gilda will be looking for you; hurry off now to the nursery.”

  The little girl nodded and did what she was told.

  Two weeks had passed since Lady Almonbury left the London estate. With her departure, the coldness and apprehension that tainted Holston house left with her. The servants were happier. Clara was flourishing without the constant scrutiny and ridicule.

  “You look so pretty, Debbey,” Clara said from the door, using her nickname, another change since Lady Almonbury left. As Clara entered the dressing room, she smiled at her sister-in-law.

  “Really? I don’t look fat with this little one hitching a ride?” Debbey inquired as she patted her belly.

  Clara giggled as she shook her head. “No, you can’t even tell you are pregnant. You have picked the perfect dress; wearing the emerald green dress now that we are officially out of mourning.”

  “Well, you look just as lovely in your lavender dress.”

  “Thank you,” Clara stated with a smile. “Did I tell you how happy I am to be an aunt in a few months?”

  “Yes, like a dozen times.” She winked at her as she added, “But it never gets old. You’re going to be a great aunt.”

  “Imagine my luck finding my two favorite ladies in the same room,” William jested as he entered. “I see you are both ready for me to escort you downstairs for the party.”

  They nodded in unison as he put out his arms on either side. Debbey took his right side while Clara took his left. He guided them down the stairs and into the parlor where their assembled guests had just arrived.

  Everyone’s attention fell upon the trio as they made their way into the middle of the room.

  “Welcome, everyone,” William stated with a grin. “We are so glad you were able to join us this evening. We are going to have a small reception in here for the next hour before dinner is served in the dining hall.”

  William excused himself. He made his way over to where the men were talking. A few seconds later, Madeline approached Debbey. “You look lovely tonight, Lady Deborah.” She glanced at Clara and shyly admitted, “I want to apologize.”

  Clara looked across the room and gestured with her eyes. “I am going to go check on Aunt Beatrice.” The girl knew when it was time to leave a conversation.

  Debbey turned her attention back to Madeline. “I accept your apology. I’m aware you didn’t know what William’s mother and your father planned. You were as much a victim as the rest of us.”

  Madeline shook her head. “Regarding that incident at the ball, you are correct, but my apology extends to when you first arrived here in England. Lady Almonbury manipulated me, and I should not have conducted myself in the manner I did. Can you ever forgive me?”

  With a nod and a smile, Debbey offered, “Yes, on one condition.”

  “What is that?” Madeline inquired.

  “You come with me to church next week.”

  Madeline’s eyebrows arched in surprise. “I was not expecting that.” She paused for a moment, as if contemplating the invitation. “I think I would like to go with you.”

  Debbey started to laugh, causing Madeline to ask, “What are you finding so amusing?”

  “Who would have thought we would end up friends.”

  “Are we friends?”

  “I would like to think so, considering all we have been through.”

  “It is quite astonishing,” Madeline stated, resulting in both of them breaking out in laughter this time.

  Lady Chloe came upon them with a questioning gleam in her eye. “What are you two going on about?”

  “We were just marveling at the fact that we have become friends,” Madeline explained.

  “Who would have thought it?” Debbey teased.

  With a look of hurt, Chloe stated, “I feel a bit left out at the moment.”

  “Don’t be silly,” Debbey stated. “We have plenty of room for one more friend in this club.”

  Madeline reached out and patted Chloe’s arm. “She is right. It is time to put the past behind us.”

  “I would like that,” Chloe confessed.

  “How about both of you come to my place for tea next week?” Madeline invited.

  Both the girls nodded in approval and the three friends started to talk about the latest happenings during the Season.

  It was wonderful to see his wife so joyful. Although their time in England started out rough, after his mother was found out to be the culprit and was dealt with, they were able to settle into a familiar and happy routine.

  As the guests took their seats at the table, William remained standing at the head of the table. Debbey joined him as he picked up his glass.

  “I would like to make a toast. It is with great joy I am pleased to announce that the Viscountess Braybridge and I are expecting our first child.”

  There were congratulations heard around the room as everyone stood to their fe
et and raised their glasses.

  “To my beautiful wife, for making me not only a father, but the happiest man on earth.”

  Everyone raised their glasses and echoed in agreement.

  The dinner passed by pleasantly. The food was excellent, the conversation engaging. Before William knew it, the meal was coming to an end with a berry tart for dessert. A smile crossed his lips as he realized his wife was still craving the same treat for the past two weeks.

  The men retired to William’s study for drinks and cigars while the ladies returned to the parlor for conversation. In the study, Lord Blanchard approached William with a smile on his face.

  “Congratulations, Lord Almonbury,” the younger man stated.

  William decided it was finally time to make a decision about his sister. “I think, since we will be family in the near future, perhaps you should call me William.”

  Lord Blanchard’s eyes grew wide with grateful surprise. “Truly? You are agreeing to my betrothal to your sister?”

  “I talked with Clara about your situation and have come to realize, having love is far more important than an advantageous marriage. It is obvious you love my sister, which makes you the perfect husband for her. In the fall, after her debut, you have my permission to marry Clara.”

  “Thank you, William. I promise you won’t regret the decision.” With excitement, Edward glanced towards the door. “Can I go inform Clara of the good news?”

  With a nod and a smile, William dismissed Edward. “Go. I am sure she will be elated.”

  Towards the end of the night, as everyone was departing for the evening, The Duchess of Cavendish pulled Debbey into a hug and exclaimed, “I am so happy for you and my nephew. I cannot believe I am going to be a great aunt.”

  “Thank you, Aunt Beatrice.”

  “My sister was not forthcoming about why she left for the York estate. I can only imagine what she did to merit such a punishment. I am sorry she could not see what a wonderful woman you are, Deborah.”