A Bewitching Lord of Her Own: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Lucy Langton

  “No, that would have been very intolerable, indeed,” Ada said with a chuckle.

  All seemed to be well by the time they returned to Town. The trip had been pleasant enough with their conversation and memories they had created in Brighton. Yet Ada was anxious to return to Town to ensure Dowager Statham was doing well. By the time they walked into the townhouse and straight to the drawing room, it seemed as though Ada had no reason to worry.

  “Ah, it’s so good to see you two,” Dowager Statham said happily as she stood on her feet with the use of her cane and was quick to embrace them both. Ada sighed happily, able to relax now that she was sure her mother-in-law was well.

  “You look rather tanned,” Dowager White remarked as she took turns giving Ada a hug.

  “We spent much time in the sun,” Ada explained. “It felt so good to spend our time along the water’s edge and walk along the beach during the day.”

  “But a tanned complexion isn’t fashionable,” Dowager Statham said with a chuckle. “By next Season you should look your normal self.”

  “Mother, Ada looks fine the way she is,” Flynt was quick to retort. “And by this time next year, she will no doubt be with child.” The drawing room erupted in laughter at such a bold comment. Ada blushed deeply, seeming to add to the comical statement. Not wanting to comment on such words, Ada settled down into a chair next to Dowager Statham and accepted a cup of lovely made lavender tea.

  “You must tell us all about your journeys. We have become bored with the same old gossip in Town,” Dowager Statham said.

  “Well, I can at least say we served without servants,” Flynt quipped as he settled onto the settee next to his aunt.

  “I can’t imagine how tiresome that must have been,” Dowager White said with a sorrowful look upon her face. Ada did her best not to laugh out loud as to upset her.

  “It was a challenge that we did bare well,” Ada declared. “Though I will say that I am glad to be home. I can’t wait to show you the sheet music I have acquired.”

  “I think we should have Cook make up a tea tray,” Dowager Statham declared. “You two look absolutely famished. To think you have had no one to cook for you for three weeks.”

  “Mother, please. We did not starve in the least. When we did not cook very well, we went to the tavern for our meals. I can attest that the owner’s wife is a splendid cook and kept us well fed when we were patrons,” Flynt said, trying to soothe his mother.

  “Well, I’m sure the two of you could use a proper bath and fresh clothes. Go on with you now and prepare for dinner. I shall ask Cook to prepare a feast so that you two may recover your strength,” Dowager Statham declared with her chin raised. Ada knew that there would be no way to change the older woman’s mind. So, she rose with her husband and went up to their bedchamber together to do as bid.

  ~*~

  Flynt thought his heart was completely full as he sat in the drawing room after a very filling dinner. He had to admit that he missed Cook’s meals and that he would come to appreciate the entire staff now that he’d gone without for so many weeks.

  Now, as he sat and listened to Ada play the new sheet music she’d purchased in Brighton, he thought that his life could not become even more perfect. Perhaps he’d only be able to change his mind when Ada became with child, and they could start that new adventure together.

  “I’ve never seen such amazing seashells,” Dowager White said as she looked at all the shells they had collected at the beach. She had them all laid out on the card table before her as she picked each one up carefully and inspected it.

  “Perhaps we should take them to the hat shop and see if the hat maker can use them in a new design,” Dowager Statham said with a happy smile. The excitement that crossed over Dowager White’s face at the idea made Flynt chuckle.

  “I can carry them for you to the hat shop if you like,” Miss Butler spoke up then, having been rather quiet since their return home. “We can go first thing in the morning.”

  “Oh, what a lovely idea,” Dowager Statham agreed.

  When Ada finished her song at the piano, Flynt stood and approached to see which one she had been practicing. She picked up the sheet music and moved on to a more familiar tune, but Flynt was quick to gather the music and tuck them behind his back.

  “I can’t play if I can’t read the music,” Ada teased with her eyebrow raised.

  “I know there are songs that you can play well without needing the sheets of music,” Flynt retorted.

  “If you wanted me to play your song, all you had to do was ask,” Ada said as she turned back to the piano.

  Flynt leaned over her back and said softly, “It wouldn’t be as much fun if I simply asked. I do love to tease you.” Flynt chuckled as he placed the music back on the piano for her and saw the way her cheeks blushed. He enjoyed getting a rise out of his wife and watched as she did her best to concentrate on the song she was about to play. She even had to close her eyes and take a deep breath before beginning in order to recall the song by heart.

  Flynt settled back into his chair and watched his wife’s performance. He let the music wash over him as he had allowed the seawater to wash over his bare feet when he stood on the water’s edge. The sound of the piano filled the air until the music was all he heard.

  He toned out his mother’s and aunt’s chatter and all the things they could make plans for. The only thing that mattered to Flynt at that moment was the song that seemed to always soothe his soul and allow him to feel more comfortable than ever before.

  As Flynt sat and watched Ada play his favourite song, he played with the idea of what his life would have been like if he hadn’t agreed to marry her. He had been so cross with his mother for even suggesting that he marry if only to pay his debts. For so long, the subject of marriage had caused him to recoil from the very idea and avoid it at all costs.

  Perhaps it was the way she soothed his soul with her music that helped him come to the decision to finally marry her. It had been a logical choice, one even Lord Peterson had agreed to. But really, he thought it was Ada’s good nature that made deciding to marry her one he could at least feel comfortable with once the debts had been paid.

  He chuckled as he remembered how disastrous their first honeymoon in Bath had been. It all had been awkward and forced, and Flynt had looked at each day as another boring day that would lead to the next and the next. It wasn’t until Lord Peterson had talked sense into him once more that he could see what a gift he’d been given by marrying someone as sweet as Ada.

  Now, Flynt knew love like he had never imagined before. Ada was not only a great partner to make love with, but she was the type of person he wanted to be with every day. He wasn’t sure how he’d become so lucky to have her in his life or what benevolent god was smiling down on him, but he was genuinely thankful for this family at that moment. He was truly grateful for Ada in his life.

  Chapter 22

  Life seemed to return to normal in Town for Ada. She would wake every morning with Flynt by her side, bringing happiness and a smile to her face to be with him. She had a sinking suspicion in her gut that told her it wouldn’t be much longer till she could tell him officially that she was with child. Ada could already imagine herself come Christmas time, sitting around the fire with a very large belly as she chattered happily with their friends and family.

  About a week after they had returned from Brighton, Ada had settled into a routine of rising early. She enjoyed the early morning hours that were quiet and seeming to be left just for her. The widowed sisters wouldn’t be awake right away, and Flynt still could sleep in longer than anyone else even though he no longer spent his nights drinking and gambling.

  After dressing herself in a pale blue gown that flowed due to the lace that had been stitched in the skirt, she made her way downstairs and towards the garden. The household had become used to her new routine, so by the time she stepped onto the veranda, a round wooden table with a dark varnish was already set up for her with a
high-back chair. A hot pot of tea sat on the table with a porcelain teacup and matching saucer. After pouring herself a cup of tea and adding two blocks of sugar and a bit of crème, she began to slowly sip of the heavenly aroma of lavender.

  Ada sighed deeply as she looked out over the gardens beyond the veranda. The roses had lost their blooms in the late summer days, but she knew that possibly they would bloom once more before winter, depending on how warm the days remained and the amount of rain that would come. There were very few flowers currently in bloom, but she loved to watch the sparrows fly and dip through the air, chasing after one another, or perching on a tree branch to sing her a morning song.

  It was all rather lovely to behold. She could strain her ears to hear the fountain running in the distance. There was a warm breeze on the wind as it swept by, bringing scents of nature to her. She could feel the sunlight on her arms and hands, the only bare parts of her body, and she knew that it would be a lovely day. Now being married, Ada no longer worried about having tanned skin because she knew that Flynt loved her for who she was and not necessarily how she looked.

  Taking a long sip of the tea, Ada thought about her husband. When she had first met Flynt, she never thought he would be the type of man to marry because he was so unstable. It would be constant nights spent out, doing God knows what. And during the day, he and Dowager Statham would be constantly bickering or arguing about one thing or another, sending Flynt running out the doors once more.

  Ada understood now what haunted Flynt and the memories that came to mind during the night hours. She was sure that if Dowager Statham had any idea of what Flynt went through while in the Navy, she would certainly feel very guilty about her decision to send him away.

  Regardless, Ada and Flynt had been making a lot of progress to chase his inner demons away. She smiled as she thought about how they often spent their nights together, a blush even coming to her cheeks.

  The footman came then with her plate of food for breakfast. Seared bacon strips had been paired with a boiled egg and fresh bread with butter and jam. She thanked him kindly, especially when the young man asked if there was anything else that she needed. Then, she took her time to enjoy the meal.

  Even though she had been Countess for almost three months now, it still hadn’t yet to settle into her mind. She was lady of this entire estate, of the happenings and goings-on of the household. Yet, they hadn’t planned any social functions of their own. After the charity ball at the botanical gardens, she was inspired to host her own with Flynt.

  As Ada munched on her food, she looked out over the gardens and imagined hosting an outside gathering with all of their acquaintances. Dowager Statham would surely land them her guest list of all the people she would like to socialize with. And Flynt could use this opportunity to strengthen his business relationships. In turn, Ada could invite women of similar rank and relation to further her own social group. It would truly be a splendid event for everything.

  She waited on the veranda for Flynt to come and let her know that they were ready for their morning ride together. It was something they began to do once more upon returning to Town. With every ride they took from the stables along the riding paths, she thought she was growing more confident with her horse and the sport of riding.

  It might be rather scandalous for a married woman to be riding, especially one that might be expecting, but she reasoned that she would take things slowly and simply enjoy being out in nature. Come winter, it would be too cold to go out anywhere, and they would all hunker down to enjoy the warmth of the fire and good company.

  Ada’s thoughts then turned to Miss Butler. She hadn’t spent much time with the woman and had tried to put it into her mind that she wouldn’t try to compare herself with the young lady. She knew that Miss Butler must be trying her best with her abilities to care for the widowed sisters.

  Ada would often think she wouldn’t act or speak in such a way when she was Dowager Statham’s lady companion. But it didn’t mean that it wasn’t what the older women needed now. Therefore, she had even started to consider what she could do for the woman and perhaps help her find a husband so that she might rise in rank herself. She could easily see herself helping women of poor situations to become the best versions of themselves and find the happiness in life that they all deserved.

  Ada smiled to herself as she finished her food and started to sip her second cup of tea that morning. She had so many exciting plans for the future and truly thought that anything was possible with her rank in society and the fortunes of the Earldom.

  Though she had no intention to be as fashion-forward as Dowager Statham often implied that she should be, she would at least try to use the family’s wealth for good and helping those in true need. If Ada had learned anything in life it was that when hard times happen, it often takes the kindness of others to pull you right back up.

  ~*~

  Flynt chuckled as he rose from bed and realized that Ada had already risen before him. He wasn’t sure how she did it, but he always found it humorous. He knew that she would be waiting for him to ready the horses for their morning ride. So, he quickly got out of bed and readied for their ride in his riding trousers and vest. Slicking back his hair with a bit of water from the water basin, he felt ready to head out and make sure the horses were ready.

  As he made his way downstairs, he heard soft chatter coming from the dining room. He was certain that his mother and aunt were breakfasting, no doubt with Miss Butler as well, and for a moment, he stood and listened to them. It was good to hear how happy his mother was, and he hoped that one day he could make her truly proud.

  Flynt smiled to himself as he made his way outside to the stables through the servants’ door. He knew that as soon as Ada was able to tell that she was with child that his mother and aunt would surely be beside themselves with joy and happiness. With all the lovemaking they’d been doing lately, Flynt was confident that by the end of winter, there would be news of a new child being born into the Statham family.

  At the stables, he was greeted by the stable master and shown over the two horses they would be riding that day. He found them agreeable and in good health. He was leading them by the reins out of the stables in an attempt to tether them outside in preparation for the morning ride when he noticed Miss Butler striding across the lawn towards him. She wore a dark purple gown that made her fiery red hair even redder. As he tied the reins to the hitching post, he turned to face the woman for she seemed intent on speaking to him.

  “Good morning, Lord Statham. I was hoping to speak to you this morning, for I cannot keep these words to myself any longer,” she said as she pulled a folded piece of paper from her pocket and started to unfold it.

  “Is something the matter?” he asked, thinking she might have received a letter from her family, asking her to return to them for an ill family member.

  “It seems you don’t remember me, Lord Statham,” she said as she looked up at him. “We had met soon after your return to London from sailing with the Navy.”

  Flynt narrowed his eyes at her, trying to remember anything about her familiar appearance. If it had been right after his return that he had met Miss Butler, it made sense why he wouldn’t remember her because much of his memory from that time had been erased by extensive drinking.

  “I’m sorry, Miss Butler. I made poor choices upon my return to Town. I don’t remember much of the first few months when I was dispatched from the Navy,” Flynt admitted.

  “Well, perhaps you’ll remember this,” she said, handing him the letter in her hand. But as Flynt took it and opened the flaps, he soon realized that it wasn’t a letter at all. It was an official document with his signature on it.

  “I don’t understand,” he said. “Is this some sort of joke my aunt and mother are trying to play on me?”

  “No, Lord Statham. This is not a joke. This is real, and I’m truly your first wife,” she said, her voice stern and almost cold. He stared into her dark green eyes, then down at th
e marriage license in his hand. He started to laugh, thinking this was the most ridiculous thing he had ever experienced.