‘So you brought Alice back to England. You said you felt responsible for her. Did Selina not have family?’
‘Her father was dead and she had no siblings. I wrote to her mother, explaining the situation, but she had washed her hands of her years ago and wanted nothing to do with Alice.’
‘That poor child. I’m glad she is in your care.’
‘Our care, Linnet. We will take care of her together.’
‘Alice is like a daughter to me, Christian. You know that. And your mother? Tell me about her.’
‘She died three years ago. I think her heart was broken.’
‘I’m so very sorry, Christian. What an awful time that must have been for you. Are you still tortured by what your father did to you?’
‘There have been times when the pain was deep. On his death I felt a kind of relief—a thankfulness. I suppose there are those who would think that is a terrible thing for a man to say about his father, but one had to know the nature of the man to understand why I felt like that.’
‘Why did you let everyone believe Alice is your daughter?’
‘Because the truth is too sordid—and to protect my mother’s memory. She died in ignorance that he had fathered a child. It would have destroyed her. At least my father kept his debauchery with Selina confined to Egypt.’
‘Mrs Marsden knows the truth, doesn’t she?’
‘Yes. Thankfully she is devoted to Alice, as you will have seen for yourself, but she is in failing health. She made it plain from the beginning that she only has Alice’s best interests at heart. Whatever I decided where she is concerned I could count on her support.’
‘And now? Will you go on letting everyone believe she is your daughter? And Alice? Where does she feature in all this? She must be told the truth, Christian. It wouldn’t be right to keep it from her.’
He nodded, thoughtful. ‘I know and I do intend doing the right thing—more so now I’ve met you. When Selina climbed into bed with my father I persuaded myself that I would never let a woman have control over my emotions like that—that I would have the strength to withstand such debilitating emotions.’
‘And has that now changed?’
‘Everything changed when I met you. You are not Selina. You are nothing like her—thank God. When I took you to Park House it was there I decided I wanted to marry you—before that night we spent together. I have fallen in love with you, Linnet. In fact, I believe I have loved you from the moment I set eyes on you at the Stourbridge ball—replacing that precious necklace your brother had taken. I wanted you then and I continued to want you despite refusing to marry you at Woodside Hall when Lady Milton tried to force my hand.’
Linnet’s lips curved in a smile, her mind and body rejoicing at his declaration of love. ‘If you only knew how much I have wanted to hear you say that—that you love me as I love you.’
‘I am not going to let the bitterness and resentment that has almost eaten me up destroy everything I have now. That is not going to happen. What I have now is too precious. But, in addition, what I have with you is something deep, open and honest. It transcends all else. You are a rare being, Linnet Osborne and I love you.’
‘Blakely,’ she corrected with a teasing smile. ‘My name is Blakely now.’
* * *
Having no reason to remain at Birch House, they returned to Kensington, where they took Alice aside. After tactful and sensitive explanations from both Christian and Linnet, she accepted that he was her big brother and Linnet her new sister and then went back to playing with her dolls.
* * *
After a scented bath and perfumed oil rubbed into her skin, Linnet sat in her petticoats while her maid brushed her hair until it shone. Deciding on a pink-satin dress for her relaxed, intimate dinner with her husband, satisfied with her appearance, she went down to the dining room.
Christian was waiting for her. She felt his gaze glide leisurely over her, taking in every detail of her appearance. Her heart refused to stop its wild thudding. She halted in front of him. Her eyes had to raise slightly to meet the shining glimmer in his.
‘I compliment you, my love. You look perfect.’
Placing a light kiss on her lips, he handed her a glass of ruby-red wine, raising it in a toast.
‘To you, Linnet.’
She smiled, raising her own. ‘To us, Christian. To many, many years of happiness.’
* * *
Hyde Park was where the world of fashion congregated and paraded every afternoon. The gentlemen were mounted on superb horseflesh and the ladies in their carriages, attended by their chaperons and liveried footmen. It was a colourful, frivolous place to be, where people went to see and to be seen.
It was a lovely afternoon, the air sharp and the breeze that rustled the trees made the blue ribbons on Alice’s bonnet bounce as she trotted along. Attired in her blue velvet riding habit, she was riding her white pony, the promised gift from Christian, its long silky mane and tail dancing as she trotted along. Christian had gone to a great deal of trouble to make sure it would be suitable for Alice. When he had decided that it could be trusted, only then was Alice allowed to ride it.
Alice adored Daisy, almost as much as she adored Christian. The feeling was mutual. Christian’s pride in Alice’s beauty, her tangled curls and her effortless ability to communicate with others was boundless. She had become a great source of comfort to him. The shy little girl he had brought from Egypt had been replaced by a confident and spirited lovable child. She had a certain way with her and had everyone eating out of the palm of her hand. All those who came into contact with her immediately came under her spell. She learned to ride quickly and when they were in London, the three of them could often be seen riding in Hyde Park.
‘Watch me—watch me, Chris,’ she called as she gleefully urged Daisy to jump a very small shrub.
‘No more jumping today, Alice,’ Christian called after her, unable to hide his concern that she might fall off Daisy and injure herself. ‘Are you listening to me?’
‘I do—I do, but did you see? I did it.’ Laughter followed her as she rode on.
Riding at a steady pace behind her, Christian and Linnet took equal pride in Alice.
‘See how she sits her horse,’ Christian said, admiring the child’s straight back and the proud set of her head.
‘She’s a natural,’ Linnet said, looking sideways at him. ‘I’m so glad you have got to know each other. You make a wonderful big brother.’
‘I have some time to make up. It was wrong of me to ignore her as I did.’
‘It’s understandable why you acted as you did. The fates played against you. She wasn’t your child. Your father and Selina had put you in a difficult situation.’
‘If only I had done things differently back then, but I was so intent on settling my father’s affairs that I paid no attention to Alice.’
‘There’s no turning back the clock to right the wrong. It’s the future that counts—a future that includes Alice.’
Christian’s gaze warmed to her. ‘I don’t deserve you, Linnet. When I consider the way I treated you when the army officer came to tell me Selina was dead, you were already convinced I behaved the way I did because I still loved her and was mourning her passing. How wrong you were. I’m sorry for hurting you. I never imagined you would actually retaliate by leaving me and returning to Birch House. Did you intend coming back?’
‘Of course I did—I was a bride of less than twenty-four hours, but when I thought you were still in love with Selina—that I could not compete with a dead woman—it came as a great shock to me and I needed time alone to think.’
Riding close to her he reached out and took her hand. ‘Your imaginings were unfounded.’
‘I know that now,’ she murmured, suddenly wishing they were alone in the close intimacy of their bedchamber, where his ardour had already taken away all
her inhibitions and she always gave herself to him with unrestrained delight.
‘How I have agonised over my treatment of you,’ Christian said, releasing her hand. ‘It was both cruel and indefensible. I should have been more understanding.’
‘All that is in the past—let us forget it.’
‘I agree. There are other, more important matters to interest us now. I want you to tell me how much you love me.’
Linnet smiled happily, seeing the need in his eyes that matched her own—a need that would not be satisfied until the sweet agonising moment of fulfilment. She tilted her head and looked at him, happiness giving her an inner glow that shone through. Joy and happiness welled inside her, filled her because this wonderful, vital man belonged to her. She sighed, a happy sight of contentment.
‘Have I not convinced you of it yet? I will—later. I promise.’
‘How lucky I am to have such a lovely wife—and how amiable,’ he teased gently. ‘There is scarcely a trace of the reckless young woman I met at the Stourbridge ball.’
‘Do not be deceived, for she is still there, lurking somewhere in the background.’ Linnet laughed softly, letting her eyes feast on his handsome features. She adored this man, her husband, and everything about him, and she had come to know him like she did no other—the smell of him and every muscle and contour of his fine body. He was her destiny, her future. His ardour had taken away her inhibitions and she always gave herself to him with unrestrained delight, but how she wished he would not remind her of their first meeting, when he had thought she was a thief. ‘We will leave the past in the past. The only thing that’s important is what’s between us, you and me.’
His eyes blazed suddenly with their own vivid light. ‘That is true. There are other, more important matters to interest us now. Ever since Toby developed a liking for the gaming tables your world has been spent in torment and strife. This is a time to forget the past and seek out the better moments of whatever the future has to offer as my wife. We have Alice to take care of and before long there will be a child of our own and, God willing, more and laughter will ring within the walls of Park House.’
‘I truly hope so. It’s a beautiful house, Christian. How could anyone not be happy there? I am impatient to return. Your ancestors must have been very rich to build such a grand house.’
‘They were. The first Lord Blakely was a powerful politician and a trusted adviser of Queen Elizabeth. He later became the first Earl of Ridgemont. Park House means a great deal to me. It is mine to safeguard and one day bequeath to my offspring and their offspring that follow. I also realise that it is a heavy responsibility, but with you by my side I will carry it with honour and pride.’
‘Thank you. It makes me happy to hear you say that. It will be the perfect place to bring up our child.’
‘When we have a child.’ A wicked light entered his eyes. ‘I will give the matter more serious consideration.’
Staring at his handsome face, she felt a surge of love. ‘My darling Christian,’ she said softly, ‘perhaps you should consider it seriously now.’
He stiffened. ‘What do you mean? Linnet, are you—?’ He broke off to stare at her incredulously. ‘Linnet, are you with child?’
‘I am, Christian. Your child.’
‘So I should hope.’ He ran his fingers through his dark hair, at a loss for further words.
She looked at his unsmiling face with dismay. ‘Are you not pleased?’
‘What are you talking about? Of course I’m pleased—but it’s a hazardous thing to bear a child. I could not bear it if you should come to harm—and you should not be riding. What are you thinking? We will return home at once.’
Linnet broke into laughter. ‘Nothing is going to happen to me, Christian. Having children has been a natural function for women from the beginning of time—and I certainly won’t be giving up riding just yet. It is perfectly safe.’
No matter what she said, he insisted they return to the house.
* * *
When they were alone in their bedchamber he drew her close to him. ‘How long?’ he asked. ‘How long have you known?’
‘A little while. It’s still early days. Will you not speak a few words of welcome to our child? He or she is barely alive as yet, but I am certain that he or she will be happy to hear your voice.’
Her words seemed to galvanise him into action. With a swift movement he swept her up into his arms and carried her to the bed. ‘You must not stand around too long. I will make sure you get plenty of rest.’
Trying to control her laughter, she wriggled to sit up. He was bending over her and, touching his face with a caressing hand, she said, ‘Come now, Christian. I will come to no harm, I promise you.’
‘Am I being foolish?’
Linnet smiled at him, loving him. ‘No, my love. They are the natural fears of a man who has just been told he is to be a father.’
* * *
Viscount Charles Richard Blakely was born at Park House. Linnet was holding her son in her arms when Christian and an excited Alice, eager to make the acquaintance of her new nephew and feeling very important and grown up on becoming an aunt, entered the room.
Stopping near the bed to kiss his wife, Christian looked down at his sleeping son, having much to be thankful for. There was an unnaturally bright glitter in his eyes as he took the child into his arms and he had difficulty swallowing past the constriction in his throat.
‘Is he not perfect?’ Linnet said, stroking Alice’s hair. Alice was perched on the edge of the bed, eager for her turn to hold him.
‘In every way,’ Christian agreed. ‘But then, how could he not be with a mother like you?’ Walking around the bed, he laid him in his crib, covering him.
Alice immediately homed in on Charles. Sitting on the bed, Christian put his arm about his wife, drawing her close. Together they watched Alice peering adoringly down at the child, each content with the way things had turned out for them.
‘How fortunate we are,’ Linnet murmured, a tender smile curving her lips as she listened to Alice whispering words of endearment to Charles. The words echoed in the fullness of her heart, filling her with a tune too sweet to be sung.
Christian looked down at her smiling face. ‘What are you thinking?’
‘That I never believed I could feel so happy.’
‘You deserve to be happy. You’re the best thing that has happened in my life.’
Linnet sighed happily, snuggling closer to him. ‘And I love you so much, Christian Blakely. Believe it, for it is true. You have given meaning to my life—to everything I do. Not only are you my husband, but my friend—a very special friend.’
Moved by her words, Christian looked at her with admiration and respect and love, and when he spoke his voice was husky. ‘Then I am indeed blessed. I ask for nothing more.’
‘Thank you, Christian. That is the nicest, most wonderful thing you have ever said to me. I hope you mean it, because now that you’ve said it, I couldn’t bear it if you didn’t.’
‘I’ll never lie to you,’ he promised quietly and she believed him.
* * *
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Keep reading for an excerpt from A Marquess, a Miss and a Mystery by Annie Burrows.
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A Marquess, a Miss and a Mystery
by Annie Burrows
Chapter One
There was nothing for it. Horatia Carmichael was going to have to do something drastic.
She peered round at the congregation, who were gathering their prayer books and Bibles together as the Duke of Theakstone’s elderly chaplain mumbled the service to a close, and swallowed. The Duke’s private chapel was awash with lords and ladies. She didn’t think anyone below the rank of viscount had been invited to stay at Theakstone Court for the week preceding his wedding. Apart from her. Which made her feel a bit like Cinderella must have done at that ball to pick a bride for Prince Charming, or whatever his name was. She’d never paid all that much attention to fairy tales. They were always full of pretty people getting unlikely rewards simply for being pretty. Or titled. She’d have been far more impressed if, for once, cleverness had been the virtue that won the prize.
The Governess's Scandalous Marriage Page 22
