by Marie Force
“That is not true!”
“Ah, well, it’s kind of true,” Simon said with a snicker.
Aubrey was about to protest when Plumber came in the room. “Pardon the interruption, but a cable has arrived that was marked urgent.”
Aubrey took it from him. “Thank you, Mr. Plumber.”
“Of course, sir.” The butler turned and left the room.
Anxiety had Aubrey opening the envelope with the same caution one might give a container full of dynamite. What now? He read the brief message with a sinking feeling.
“What is it, Aubrey?” Derek asked.
“My God,” Aubrey said, glancing at Justin. “I’m so very sorry to have to tell you that your father and brother were killed in a riding accident yesterday.”
Justin’s expression went flat. “What?” He shook his head as if he hadn’t heard Aubrey correctly.
“None of the details were provided. That’s all it says.”
Justin found the nearest chair and landed hard, dropping his head into his hands.
Derek and Simon sat on either side of him, their hands on his shoulders.
“I’m so sorry, Justin,” Derek said.
“What can we do for you?” Simon asked.
“What kind of riding accident could’ve killed them both?” Justin asked, his disbelief conveyed in his every word.
“I can’t imagine,” Derek said.
Justin looked up all of a sudden, his eyes gone wide. “Dear Christ, this means I’m the earl now.” He moaned. “This cannot be happening.” And then his shoulders heaved as a great sob shook him.
Derek moved quickly to wrap an arm around his friend while Simon patted him on the back.
Aubrey stood by, feeling inept and uncertain as to how to help. First thing in the morning, he would arrange transportation to get Justin home to England as soon as possible. That much he could do.
“I’m sorry.” Justin wiped the tears from his face. “It’s just such a shock.”
“Of course it is,” Derek said. “And please don’t be sorry. You’re among friends here. I just wish there was something we could do for you.”
“I’m going to need you to tell me how to be an earl with holdings so vast it’ll take the rest of my life to understand it all.”
“That I can do. Whatever you need, whenever you need it.”
“Thank you.” Justin ran a trembling hand through his hair. “I suppose I’ll need to go home then.”
“I’ll set up transport for you in the morning,” Aubrey said. “I’d get you on the train to New York, but it’s actually quicker from here to take the Fall River boat. From there, we’ll book passage on the first liner headed to England. Don’t worry about a thing. I’ll take care of everything.”
“That’s very good of you. Sorry to ruin the party.”
“You haven’t ruined anything,” Aubrey assured him. “We’re just so sorry this terrible tragedy has happened to you and your family.”
“It’s truly a disaster,” Justin said. “Father and Richard had heads for business, commerce, land management and everything aristocratic that I haven’t the first bit of. The family will be ruined inside a year with me at the helm.”
“That is not true,” Derek said. “You will have my help and that of your many friends. You will not be alone in this challenge. I promise you that.”
Justin wiped new tears from his face. “You have all been very kind, but I think I’d like to retire now, if that’s all right.”
“Of course,” Derek said. “I’m right next door if you need anything during the night.”
Justin went to the sideboard, poured himself a full glass of whiskey and raised it in toast to his friends. “I’ll be all right. Eventually. Good night.”
“Good night, Justin.” When their friend had left the room, Aubrey took the seat he had occupied between Derek and Simon. “What a kick in the teeth.”
“It’s terrible,” Derek said bluntly. “If there’s anyone more woefully unprepared to step into this role, I’d be hard-pressed to think of who it might be.”
“There is no one more unprepared,” Simon concurred. “Justin has made a career out of avoiding responsibility. His father and brother have been aggressive in their efforts to expand the influence of the earldom. He will be stepping into rather big shoes, the poor guy.”
“Worse yet,” Derek said, “he has no interest in the role.”
“Can he hire someone to oversee most of it?” Aubrey asked.
“He can definitely hire help,” Derek said, “but he can’t disengage entirely, which is what he will want to do.”
“Gosh, all that on top of losing his father and brother,” Aubrey said. “Were they close?”
“In their own strange way they were,” Derek said. “Justin and Richard had nothing in common, but they got on rather well just the same, and his father was a good chap, always upbeat and smiling and fun to be around. It’s a shocking loss no matter how you look at it.” Derek sat up a little straighter. “I’m just remembering that Richard was due to be married in the spring.”
“Oh dear,” Aubrey said, sighing. “Such a terrible tragedy for everyone involved.”
“I want to know what happened to them,” Simon said.
Derek nodded. “As do I, but I suppose we’ll find out soon enough. I’m going to head up to bed, too. I’ll see you both in the morning.”
“I’m with you, cousin. Good night, Aubrey.”
“Good night.” When he was alone, Aubrey poured himself a drink and took it with him when he left the billiards room and headed for the stairs, eager to be with Maeve, even if she was asleep. After receiving the dreadful news from England, he was out of sorts and sad for his friend. What a monumental challenge he faced once he returned home to a grieving family and a vast earldom in need of management from someone woefully unprepared for such a daunting challenge.
At the first landing, he encountered his mother, wearing a dressing gown as she headed down the stairs. “You’re up late, Mother.”
“Your father is having a difficult night. I thought some warm milk might help.”
“I can go sit with him until you return.” He visited his father no less than three times per day, but most of the time his father slept through the visits.
“No need. Harrison is with him.”
“We have received dreadful news from England.” He filled her in on the deaths of Justin’s father and brother.
“They aren’t leaving, are they?” She seemed horrified by the prospect of her illustrious guests departing prematurely.
“Justin will leave in the morning, but the others have said nothing about going with him.”
“Thank goodness for that.”
“My friend has lost two family members in a tragic accident, Mother. I find it disappointing that you’re concerned about the Season at such a time.”
Her eyes narrowed into the furious expression that had made his knees knock as a boy. “Are we talking about disappointments now, Aubrey?”
Thankfully, he was no longer a boy. “Something on your mind, Mother?”
“I want to know what the hell you were thinking marrying that woman.” In deference to the sleeping household, she spoke in a low tone that was nearly a hiss.
“I married her because I wanted to. Not for any other reason.”
“Is that right? So the fact that she stands accused of murder in Ireland had nothing to do with it?”
For a brief second, his brain went blank with shock, but he recovered before his mother could tell she’d shocked him—or so he hoped. “Of course you’ve hired investigators to find a way to discredit her, but I’ll say this once—and only once—stay away from me and my wife, or else.”
“Or else what? Perhaps you aren’t aware that your father’s will was updated a year ago, and once he passes, I’ll control everything—the business, the money, all of it. So you’d do well to decide what’s important to you before much longer.”
Aubrey
wasn’t surprised to hear that his mother had seen to updating his father’s will at the first sign of illness. “I already know what’s important to me, Mother, and I’m afraid I’m going to disappoint you once again by saying good night. My wife is waiting for me in our bed, and I’d much rather be with her than arguing with you.”
He left her on the landing and continued up the stairs, shaken by the ugly encounter as his father’s warning echoed through his mind. Perhaps he should heed his father’s advice and get out of there before she could do something to ruin everything for him and Maeve. Except, the only way his mother could succeed in ruining them was if they allowed it, and he had no intention of allowing her to do anything that would harm his marriage.
Chapter Twenty
Unsettled, Aubrey slipped into his darkened bedroom and closed the door behind him, leaning against it for a time to take several deep sips of whiskey. Closing his eyes, he felt the liquor move through him, heating him from within.
“Aubrey?”
That voice. That one in a million voice. “I’m here, love.”
“Is everything all right?”
No, he wanted to say, it’s not. My mother is a monster and she’s going to try to destroy us. “Justin received some terrible news from home.” He pushed off the door and went to the bed, sitting on the edge of the mattress.
“What happened?”
“His father and brother were killed in a riding accident.”
“Oh no. Poor Justin.”
“In addition to his obvious grief and heartache, this also means he is the new earl. He’s rather overwhelmed by that prospect, to say the least.”
“I’m so sorry for him.”
“I am as well. He’s such a good fellow. I hate to see him suffering.”
“Will he leave to go home?”
“In the morning.”
“One never knows what’s coming next.”
“That is very true. Often the not knowing can lead to beautiful things.” To make his point, he reached for her hand and linked their fingers. “But not always.”
“No, not always. I’m sorry your friend is sad.”
“Thank you. I’m sorry, too.”
“Do you want to come to bed?”
“Very much so.”
She surprised him when she sat up, pushed the covers aside and went up on her knees to unbutton his shirt.
He was extraordinarily moved by her tender care and the way she touched him as she helped him out of his shirt.
“Lie back.”
Aubrey put the glass on the table and did as directed, on fire with desire to know what she would do next. He wasn’t disappointed when she released his belt and unbuttoned his pants. At her command, he raised his hips and allowed her to remove his trousers and unmentionables, leaving him bare to her curious gaze.
“You’re so finely put together, Mr. Nelson.”
He loved how she called him that now for effect, rather than out of formality. “I’m glad you think so, Mrs. Nelson.”
“Everyone thinks so. I heard Abigail Gish discussing your fine physique during the Coddingtons’ croquet party. She said you have a very tight derriere and wondered, aloud, if it looked as good unclothed as it does in trousers. I assured her it does.”
Aubrey’s face heated with mortification. “You did not!”
“I certainly did so. I won’t have her discussing my husband’s derriere as if I’m not standing right there.”
His heart seemed to expand in his chest as he reached for her, wrapping his arms around her and burying his fingers in the thick silk of her hair. “You have made me happier than I have ever been.”
“I have?”
“You have. You mustn’t ever leave me. I would be entirely bereft without you.”
“I . . . You . . .”
“Love you. I, Aubrey Nelson, have fallen deeply in love with my beautiful wife, Maeve Nelson, and I can’t imagine a day—hell, I can hardly bear an hour—without her by my side.”
Her eyes filled with tears as she stared at him, seeming stunned by his proclamation.
A nagging worry about whether he’d shown his cards too soon had him kissing her rather than waiting—hoping—to hear the same sentiment from her. What if she didn’t feel the same way? He would die if she didn’t love him. It was that simple. Judging by the way she kissed him, she had to love him. She just had to.
Tightening his hold on her, he turned them so he was on top, breaking the kiss to gaze down at her sweet face and eyes that seemed to see through to the very heart of him. As he made love to her, she gave him her body, but he wanted her heart and soul, too. Anything less wouldn’t be enough.
* * *
In the morning, Maeve got dressed early to go downstairs with Aubrey to see Justin off. He looked dreadful. His eyes were rimmed with red, and his face bore the signs of a sleepless night. Her heart went out to him as she gave him a good-bye hug. “You’ll be in our prayers.”
“Thank you, Maeve. I’m glad I got to meet the woman who has made Aubrey so happy.”
“I’m glad I got to meet you, too.” She stepped back so the others could say their good-byes.
When she thought about the words her husband had said to her in the dark of night, her heart beat faster and her mind raced with the implications. He loved her. He couldn’t bear to be parted from her for even an hour. What had begun as a way to protect her had become something so much more than she ever could have imagined.
Despite his words of love and devotion, she remained unconvinced that those who truly mattered, including his own mother, would ever accept her as his wife. Having Catherine and Madeleine by her side at every social event this summer had made it impossible for anyone to be outwardly rude to her, for they feared offending her powerful friends far more than they disliked having her in their midst.
What would happen next summer when Catherine and Madeleine weren’t there to smooth the way for her? Maeve shuddered imagining facing the social demands without her friends by her side. From every morning ride to every noon dip at Bailey’s Beach where everyone complained about the rocks and the smell of the seaweed, to the picnics, luncheons, afternoon teas, visits to the Casino, dinner parties and formal balls, she had managed to survive only because of them.
The McCabe sisters had been formidable allies, making sure one of them was always with her, even if that meant missing out on a chance to dance with their husbands. They never left her alone.
Maeve had never in her life had friends quite like them and would be forever grateful for the way they had protected her this summer. She dreaded the day they parted company and she was left to face the mercies of a merciless group of people on her own. Aubrey would be there, of course, but so often the men and women were separated at events.
Her stomach turned at the thought of being left alone with those people. She flattened a hand over her queasy abdomen. With every morning beginning that way lately and no sign of her courses, she’d begun to think she might be with child. Aubrey had long since stopped being careful about spending inside her, so it was entirely possible. She only wished she could allow herself to be excited about the positive things in her life—the love of a truly good man and now, the possibility of his child.
But underneath it all was the certainty that nothing this wonderful could possibly last.
As they waved to Justin when his carriage departed, Aubrey slipped his arm around her waist. She leaned into his comforting presence, wanting to steal every moment she could get with him while she still could.
They turned to go back inside and came face to face with Eliza, who trained her cold, unyielding stare on Maeve.
Did Aubrey see the way his mother looked at her? If he did, he didn’t speak of it, but the enmity coming from her mother-in-law made Maeve’s blood run cold.
“Good morning, Mother,” Aubrey said.
“Good morning,” Eliza replied. “He is off then?”
“He is. I was able to book him passage from New
York to England tomorrow.”
“It’s a pity he had to leave. It would’ve been nice to have a duke and an earl in residence, especially for the Russells’ ball tonight.”
The tightening of Aubrey’s hold on Maeve’s waist was the only indication of his displeasure with his mother’s comment. To his credit, he said nothing in response to her. After all, what could be said?
“Come, my dear,” he said to Maeve. “Let’s have breakfast.”
They joined Derek, Catherine, Simon and Madeleine at breakfast and then spent time on the back veranda with Aubrey’s nieces and nephews as well as Derek and Catherine’s baby daughter, Grace, choosing to skip the morning drive and the other customary social obligations that day so they could spend the time needed to prepare for the ball that evening.
“I read in the morning paper that Dr. Ernst Pfenning of Chicago has become the first owner of a Ford Model A,” Aubrey said. “People are speculating that before long, everyone with the means will have one.”
“Won’t that be something?” Derek asked.
“I imagine it’ll be chaotic with everyone running into each other,” Aubrey said.
The others laughed.
“Until the government intervenes to figure out a way for people to get about without catastrophe,” Simon said.
Maeve listened with interest to the conversation, but for some reason, the thought of the evening’s ball had her on edge all day. While Aubrey went to visit his father, Maeve retired to her bedroom for some much-needed time alone before facing the crush of society that night.
She didn’t expect to sleep but woke some time later to her husband’s lips on her neck. His obsession with her neck continued unabated. Keeping her eyes closed, Maeve smiled. “I hope you’re my husband.”
“Who else would be kissing your neck?” He kissed his way from her throat to her ear, sending goose bumps skittering down her back. “Whoever he is, I’ll run him through with the sharpest sword I can find.”
“Is it time to get ready?” she asked with a sinking feeling of dread.
“Not quite yet, but I have good news I couldn’t wait to share with you.”
Intrigued, Maeve opened her eyes and looked up to find him smiling widely. “What news?”
