by Quinn, Ella
Her smile was all he could have hoped for. “Yes, lets.” Then she frowned. “I really do need to find Papa. I thought he’d be here days ago. He’d be very disappointed if he missed my wedding.”
“Absolutely.” At least one of them should have a father present, and Quartus liked the older man. “We shall contrive.”
When they strolled into the morning room, it seemed as if everyone was waiting for them.
“Well?” Meg asked.
Anna laughed and he knew he had the largest grin he’d ever had. “We shall marry in Wharton.”
“An excellent choice.” Caro smiled at her husband. “A wedding for you and a new carriage for me.”
“Caro!” Anna’s eyes flew open in a wide stare. “I cannot believe you wagered on whether Quartus and I would marry.”
“Oh, no.” Her tone all innocence. “Not on whether you would wed. That would be vulgar.”
“Tell that to my aunt,” Huntley mumbled.
She continued as if he hadn’t commented. “On where it would take place. My beloved husband was certain you would wed here in all due haste.”
Quartus wanted to laugh. “Except that I was not at all certain she would agree to become my wife, and did not arrange for a special license.”
“What will you do?” Meg asked. “Certainly you’ll not wait until the banns are called.”
“That would present another difficulty as they would have to be called in both our parishes.”
“Meaning our father would receive word of the nuptials in a matter of days, if not hours,” Hawksworth said.
“Exactly what we do not want. We will stop in York and obtain a regular license from the archbishop.”
Huntley called for champagne to be served, toasts were made, then Anna sat with Caro and Meg discussing the wedding breakfast until it was time to dress for dinner.
Talk of the ceremony and celebrations continued over the meal.
“I wish my aunt could be happy about Quartus and me marrying,” Anna said to the table at large. “I fear she is allowing her bad opinion of Somerset to influence her feelings about Quartus. It would be a shame for her to miss the ceremony.”
Meg scrunched up her face as she usually did when she was thinking. “I’ll write to my grandmother Featherton. I am positive that between her and the Duchess of Bridgewater they will be able to influence your aunt.”
Even with the short time he had spent with the ladies, he agreed that if anyone could change Tatiana Harrington’s mind those ladies could. “It is worth the attempt, in any case.”
Anna smiled softly at him. “Yes, it is.”
“What are we going to do with Mrs. Potter?” Quartus asked. As long as they were dealing with loose ends, they may as well take care of everything.
“Sarah asked me to keep her as my companion,” Anna said. “It seems she irritates Lord Markville, and Sarah wanted her to have a home. I assured her she would be welcome.” Anna slid a look at Quartus. “In any event, I shall want a companion on the way to Wharton. If nothing else it will raise my status when we stop along the way.”
“That is absolutely true,” Caro said. “My godmother, who is an earl’s daughter, was treated like a princess when she traveled with her servants.”
That prompted the telling of Caro’s, Huntley’s, and, her godmother, Lady Horatia’s flight from Venice.
Soon after, they all repaired to the terrace to enjoy the dry and still sunny weather.
He whispered in her ear. “Would you like to take a stroll?”
“I would love to. This might be our last chance to relax for the next few weeks.”
Slipping his arm around her waist, he turned her toward the path beyond. When they entered the wood, she turned to him. “There is something I must tell you. In fact, I should have told you before.” She took a large breath. “Several years ago, I was betrothed several years. We anticipated our vows. He died two days before the wedding. If—if you do not wish to—”
He brushed his lips gently across hers. “You are not the only one to have done so. The ton is full of seven and eight month babies. However, I believe we shall wait until our vows have been said. I would not wish to tempt Fate.”
“Yes,” she murmured. “That would be for the best. Thank you.”
“No, thank you for agreeing to be my love and my wife.” He sent up a quick prayer that his father would not hear about their nuptials until he and Anna were safely wed. Not that he believed his father would injure him, but at times his tools were not as cautious. And the thought of Anna bearing an illegitimate child, his illegitimate child, did not bear thinking of.
They ambled down the path a little farther when she stopped again. “There is one other thing,” she said chewing her lush bottom lip. “Because there have been so many ladies holding the title, it was decided that the family name should remain Whitestone. It doesn’t make much sense considering none of the duchesses used anything other than Wharton as a last name—”
Again, he stopped her with a kiss. “It makes perfect sense. I do not think the Trevor name needs to be associated with another dukedom.”
“Are you sure you do not mind?” Her eyes filled with concern.
“Absolutely. My brother, Frank, changed his name when he wed the only child of a shipping owner.
What Quartus would have to do is find out if by changing his name he lost his title. His brother did not use his title, but he was living in America. Keeping the title and his rank could only help Anna. It did not seem likely, yet if so, he would simply add Whitestone to Trevor.
Early the next morning, he helped Anna into Meg’s carriage. They had decided to travel as fast as they could, considering Caro and Huntley and the others were bringing their young children with them.
“It looks as if it might rain,” Anna commented peering up at the sky. “Are you sure you wish to ride?”
The fat fluffy clouds that had been with them for the past few days had thinned out to horse tails, and were becoming darker. With luck, they’d out run any bad weather. “If it starts to rain I’ll join you in the carriage.”
“Very well.” She gave him a peck on his cheek.
Her maid handed her a traveling desk. “Thank you. As long as the ride is not too rough, I should be able to complete some of my correspondence.” Frowning slightly she looked at him. “I know Lord Markville had hopes in my direction. I trust he will not be too disappointed to discover I have found another gentleman. Perhaps I should write him a note.”
Quartus stifled a groan. There was a reason knights used to ride off with their ladies, and this must have been one of them. “Write him all you wish . . . after the ceremony.”
By then, he’d make damn sure she was thinking about him and not bloody Markville!
“Belling!” Somerset tapped his fingers against his desk. “Where the devil has that young care-for-nobody got to?”
His secretary entered the room calmly, as if nothing was wrong. Well he’d soon find out that was not the case.
“Lord Quartus, Your Grace?”
“Yes, Lord Quartus. Who else would I want to know about? Thornfield hasn’t seen him at any of the entertainments this week. Is he ill or has he gone home just when I arranged a match for him?”
“I have been informed that he is attending a house party not far from Town, Your Grace.”
“House party, eh? Is Lady Sarah attending too?”
“Yes. My information is that she traveled with Lady Hawksworth to the party.”
“Markville’s gone out of town as well. Don’t tell me he’s at a house party.”
“I do not know that to be a fact, Your Grace.”
What the devil was wrong with these people? “Damned lot of hieing off in the middle of the Season going on.” It would be deuced odd if there were more than one house party right now. That might work to his advantage, but only if . . . “Find out if Markville’s at a house party.”
“Yes, Your Grace.”
That must be th
e reason the marquis was not in Town. The man wouldn’t allow his sister to go off on her own.
Fate had been playing him a rotten hand lately. Somerset was due for his luck to change. Still . . . “Keep an eye on both houses, and tell me when Quartus and Lady Sarah return.”
That young couple needed to be married as soon as possible. He had plans for her property in Surrey.
“Naturally, Your Grace. I shall inform you the moment I receive word that either Lord Quartus or Lady Sarah are back in Town.”
“You may go.”
“Your Grace.”
Somerset pressed the tips of his fingers together. House parties were excellent places for young gentlemen and ladies to meet and develop the fonder feelings they wanted these days. As long as the ladies were someone else’s daughters. None of his were going to attend a house party, not even if he was there as well. As soon as Quartus was taken care of, he’d have to find a match for, Faith, his eldest daughter. She’d been upset that she had not been allowed a Season yet. Even Somerset’s duchess was not happy with his decisions about Faith. Not that he understood why the girl needed a Season when he would be choosing her husband. Then again, his wife might have a point when she argued that Faith needed to learn how to go on in Polite Society, and a Season would give her that. Perhaps his duchess was right. He’d think about letting her go in autumn for the Little Season.
Chapter 11
By the end of the second day of their journey they had reached York, and Anna was hardily glad to be able to stop early. She had never traveled so hard or so fast. Still, she should not complain. The weather had remained dry if overcast making their travel easy. She had decided to accompany Quartus when they visited the Archbishop of York’s office for the license, and they set out early the next morning.
“Do you think he will remember you?” As they strolled along the street toward the Vicar General’s office, Anna gazed around at all the ancient buildings. Nowhere she’d been had seemed as old as York. Though, Quartus had told her that most of the earliest buildings in London were now in sections of town that were not safe.
“The bishop?” He guided her across a busy street, heading confidently through a square.
“Yes. You mentioned that you had met him at Oxford and again when you were ordained.”
“I cannot think he would. I was one of several young men.” Glancing up at a street sign he turned right. “He is most likely not even in York. His residence and office is south of the city in Bishopsthorpe, when he is there.”
They entered a building, walked down a corridor, and he knocked before entering.
“Good afternoon.” Quartus spoke to a man sitting behind a desk. “I am Lord Quartus Trevor.” She almost laughed as the gentleman popped to his feet. “I require an ordinary license to marry.”
“The Vicar-General is busy at the moment, but if you will give me the information I shall fill out the license.”
Once they were seated, Quartus provided his name and birth information, then said, “Anna Elizabeth Amelia, Duchess of Wharton, born in Tortola, British West Indies on . . .”
The clerk jumped up. “Excuse me Your Grace, my lord. I will be right back.” And dashed through the door to their left.
“That was surprising.” Anna had never had anyone react to her in quite that manner. “I wonder if I should be concerned.”
“I think”—Quartus smirked—“he decided that getting the Vicar-General might be a good idea after all.” Quartus smirked.
A few short moments later, two men entered the room from the same door the clerk had run through.
“Lord Quartus.” A gentleman above average height with a straight patrician nose and heavy black brows addressed her betrothed.
“Your Grace, it is a pleasure to meet you again.” He bowed holding his hand out to Anna as she rose. “Anna, allow me to introduce his grace, the Archbishop of York. Your Grace, my betrothed, the Duchess of Wharton.”
“I’m afraid you startled Mr. Younger, the young cleric who was here.” The archbishop chuckled. “If you will have a seat, I shall sign the license. When and where is the wedding to take place?”
“In about a week at Wharton,” Anna replied, pleased that Quartus had made such an impression on the archbishop.
“I believe Mr. Sutton is your rector. Am I correct?”
“You are, indeed.”
“If you do not mind”—the archbishop glanced at Quartus then Anna—“I would like to assist in the service.”
Even though he gave no obvious indication of his surprise, Quartus’s hand tightened around her fingers, and she nodded. “Thank you. Your presence will make our wedding that much more special to us.”
The archbishop slid the license across the desk to Quartus. “Very well. A week from today. Shall we say ten o’clock?”
“Thank you sir. Ten o’clock will suit us well.”
The man spoke as if he would simply pop in for the service, but her home was still a two day drive from York. “We will have a room prepared for you, Your Grace.”
“Thank you, Your Grace.” The corner of one lip lifted and he bowed. “If you will excuse me?”
Quartus took a large breath and blew it out. He had never dreamed that he would come across the archbishop or that the man would remember him, never mind offer to help officiate at his wedding. For the past few days, he’d felt the need to keep looking over his shoulder, but now that fear was gone. With the archbishop at his wedding to Anna, nothing could stop them.
“That was unexpected,” she said taking his arm.
“It was. I’m honored by his offer.” Quartus drew her a little closer. His need to have her in his arms had been growing by leaps and bounds. Making riding his horse difficult at times. Still, the decision not to make love with her was the right one, even if his body didn’t agree.
“As am I.” She smiled at him, and it was as if a ray of sunshine was breaking through the clouds. “I cannot wait to get home. I do hope Mr. Sutton will not be made nervous by the archbishop coming.”
“Does he normally have an anxious disposition?”
“Not that I have seen. He was a sea of calm when I was there learning how to be a duchess.”
“In that case, there is no need to worry.” Quartus quickened his pace just a bit. “We must be on our way again.”
Two days later their party arrived in the Lake District. Earlier, he had joined Anna in her coach rather than appear before their dependents on horseback.
People came out of stores and houses as they passed through the village. Many of them waved and Anna returned their greetings.
“You must wave as well.”
Quartus felt foolish, but he did as he was told and soon people began to cheer.
After the town, they passed a large lake that gave views over the gently rolling countryside, and he immediately fell in love with the area. “It is more beautiful than I expected it to be.”
She ordered the coach halted on an old bridge. “Look out this window and you can see the house. This stream runs by the house. My gamekeeper tells me the fishing is excellent.”
He glanced out and was stunned. Built out of a pinkish-gray stone, it resembled something out of a fairy tale. Even his father’s house was not as large or grand. “You didn’t tell me it was a castle.”
“I wanted to surprise you. Isn’t it marvelous?” she grinned. “At sunrise and sunset the windows seem to be made of fire. Is your home anything like this?”
“Ours is newer, only dating back a little over a hundred years. It is full of Greek symmetry. So, no. Nothing as wonderful as this.” He wanted to explore, as if he was a boy again.
“You cannot tell it from this view, but the house has been added on to over the years. Wait until you see the gardens. I do hope you like them as much as I do.”
“I am sure I will.” He stared out the window a bit longer. This would be a change for him, but he had lived in England, and in a great house, and had visited even older houses. But fo
r Anna all this had been completely new. “It must have been even more of a change for you than I’d thought.”
“Yes, at first.” She nodded thoughtfully. “Our house in Tortola was of wood and not even a tenth as large. I was concerned about the castle being cold and drafty, but one of my ancestors hated being cold as well and insured it could be kept warm. The duchess before me, added new windows, and bathrooms. The one we’ll share even has piping. She did not entertain much, and thought it would be a waste to add piping though out. We shall have to see if we think it will be worth the expense.”
And the inconvenience of the remodeling. Though, he supposed, they could arrange to be elsewhere during that time.
By the time they drew in front of the house, the servants were lined up to greet their mistress. He wondered what they’d think of him.
Anna’s jaw dropped. “How did they know to expect us?”
He scanned the area near the front door. “Your aunt is here.”
“But . . . but she couldn’t be.”
Kissing her on the cheek he grinned. “Yet, she is.”
“I feel like a naughty child about to get her knuckles rapped.”
Grimacing inwardly, Quartus agreed. “Just remember, you are the duchess.”
“Then why don’t I feel like one now,” she retorted, pulling a face.
He gave a bark of laughter. “Come, Your Grace. It’s time to pay the piper.”
The door opened and steps were let down. Quartus jumped out, then took Anna’s hand as she came down the steps.
When they turned to face the servants, he saw two elderly ladies flanking Anna’s aunt. “I think I know how Tatiana came to be here. You are about to meet the Dowager Lady Featherton and the Duchess of Bridgewater.”
“Meg’s grandmother?”
“One and the same.” The concern about how Aunt Tatiana would respond to his obvious place in Anna’s life dissolved. If anyone was on their side, it was her ladyship and the duchess. He straightened his shoulders and rose to his full, not inconsiderable, height. “Ready?”
