The Duke She Left Behind

by Fish, Aileen

  No matter what it took, Beck would make certain of that.

  Eliza had slept against Beck’s shoulder for a few hours on their journey back to Marjorie’s house, and a few hours there once she’d convinced Mama to lie beside her. Her mother was afraid to let Eliza out of her sight, but Eliza insisted. Thus, when she dressed for her wedding early the next morning, her head ached and her eyes burned.

  “Perhaps you look a little peaked,” Marjorie consoled her, “but you’re still the most beautiful woman in the world to Beckhampton.”

  Marjorie had loaned her a hat trimmed with lavender flowers and ribbon to match her purple-sprigged gown. Eliza couldn’t decide whether pinching her cheeks would improve her appearance or make her red eyes more obvious. She chose against doing anything more than curling the fringe around her face that would peek out beneath the hat brim.

  Finally, she accepted that there was nothing more she could do to improve her look.

  “Enhance,” Marjorie chided. “You don’t need improvement.”

  “I hope Beck agrees. Where are my gloves? We must hurry or Beck will think I’m not coming.” Eliza found her gloves and reticule on the bed and donned them while crossing the hall to Mama’s bedchamber.

  Her mother sat on the bed wringing her handkerchief. Tears trailed down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, my child.”

  Eliza ran to her and knelt at her feet. “You have nothing to be sorry for.”

  “If only I’d stood up to your father. Or taken you to my parents’ house where we could have lived in peace.” Her voice broke on a sob.

  Taking her mother into her arms, Eliza shushed her. “None of this was your fault. You took care of me the best you knew how. If anything had gone differently, I might not have met Beck. I certainly wouldn’t have as much appreciation for what a great man he is, had I not known what evil looked like.”

  Taking her mother’s handkerchief, she dabbed the woman’s cheeks. “Yes, Father was evil. He should never have treated you the way he did. We’re both enjoying a new beginning now, you and I. You’ll have nothing to do beyond making clothes for the babies I’ll have one day, and teaching them to read French as well as you do.”

  Eliza squeezed her mother one more time. “I love you, Mama. And I’m so happy you are able to share my new life. It will be perfect, just as Beck is.”

  Mama smiled. “Yes, he is perfect for you, Eliza. Such a good man. Allow me to wash my face and we’ll go to him at the church. This will be such a beautiful day. One you’ll remember the rest of your life.”

  Epilogue

  Beck waited at the church, only his pride keeping him from pacing or fidgeting, or doing anything to reveal how nervous he was. He trusted that Eliza loved him as much as he did her, but that hadn’t been enough to this point to see them wedded. Until he held her hand in his and heard the bishop speak the words, he would hold his breath.

  Hearing voices outside, he watched the narthex, and exhaled his relief. Lady Dalcliffe entered followed by Marjorie. Then came Eliza on Hart’s arm.

  While Eliza’s mother sat in the first pew, Marjorie and Hart took their places to either side of Beck and his bride.

  His bride, and at any moment, his wife.

  “I love you, Eliza,” he whispered.

  The bishop cleared his throat and began the ceremony. Beck couldn’t say afterward if the ceremony had been brief or long, as it all passed in a whirl. Eliza squeezed his hand more than once when it was time for Beck’s response, and again when the ceremony ended.

  “It’s done, Husband.”

  Those magical words. After four unbearable years, they were man and wife.

  Barely able to wait until they were outside the church, Beck took Eliza into his arms and kissed her soundly, endlessly.

  Hart cleared his throat. “This isn’t the time or the place, Beck.”

  Lifting his head, Beck smiled. “Who are you to tell me when and where I may kiss my wife?”

  Everyone chuckled, including Lady Dalcliffe, who dabbed her cheeks yet again, or was it still?

  “Come, we’ll have breakfast at our home before you two depart to Beck’s town house.” Marjorie took Lady Dalcliffe’s arm and led her to their carriage.

  Eliza and Beck rode in his carriage, alone for the first time as man and wife. He removed her bonnet to see her beautiful hair and they kissed for several blocks, then separated to stare into each other’s eyes. Eliza sighed, her smile beaming. “You know I have nothing to bring with me. Should I choose some patterns and fabric tomorrow before we leave Town? I will need boots, dancing slippers, hats…”

  “I have your trunks.”

  “What?”

  He smiled wider, happy to be able to increase her happiness. “Your trunks that were sent over before our wedding. The first one.”

  “You kept all…”

  “For the longest time, I refused to believe you weren’t coming back to me. I had your clothing unpacked, your shoes cleaned and polished, your jewels tucked safely away where you’d find them when you needed.”

  “Beck…I can’t believe you kept it all this time.” She hugged him tightly and his heart overflowed.

  He kissed the top of her head and rested his cheek there. “If I packed it away and sent it back to Dalcliffe, it would have meant I accepted you were gone forever. I did all I could tolerate by locking the door.”

  Eliza at up and gazed wonderingly into his eyes. “You waited all this time. Everyone said you hated me, but you waited.”

  “I could never hate you. I love you so much I would have forgiven you when you returned. I didn’t know what had truly happened or I would have found you somehow.”

  “You waited for me.” She said it as if convincing herself their conversation was real. “Oh, Beck, I’m so lucky to have you. I’ve never felt this way before. It is love that gives me butterflies and makes me want to laugh and cry at the same time? If it is, I’m glad it will never go away.”

  Beck’s throat burned with emotion and his voice came out husky when he spoke. “I’ll make sure you never have cause to feel any other way.”

  “I love you, Husband.”

  “I love you, Wife. My new favorite name for you. Wife.”

  “I’ll never hear it too often.”

  Beck knew he’d never say it enough to grow tired of it. They were together at last, forever.

  THE END