by Rose Pearson
“It’s him!” she breathed, her hands now scrabbling for Mary and Betty. “It’s Radford!”
In her haste, she made to get up, only for Mary and Betty to grab at her and pull her back down.
“No,” Betty hissed, fervently. “You can’t. The Duke is still there.”
Everything in Elsbeth wanted to go to the Radford, even though the Duke and his stepson were still there. Her body quivered with tension as she clung to Betty’s arm, her ears straining to hear Radford’s voice.
“Where is she?” she heard him yell, his voice shattering the darkness around her. “I know you brought her here.”
The Duke exclaimed something that Elsbeth couldn’t hear, whilst the mocking laughter of the stepson floated around them. Elsbeth felt herself grow hot all over, anger and fury filling her.
The Duke had always treated her as though she were something to be shifted about at his will. He had been the one to put her in the Smithfield House for Girls, just in case she should prove useful at a later time, and now, since she was the only one of his bloodline left, she was meant to simply marry a man and bear his child because the Duke willed it.
It was a feeling she’d rebelled against her whole life. The feeling of being told what to do, of being ordered about as though she had no choice of her own. When would the Duke see that she was not the kind of woman to be so mistreated?
Before she knew what she was doing, Elsbeth shook off Betty and Mary’s hands and rose to her feet, walking out of the darkness and back towards the inn. She did not feel as though she were putting herself in danger, knowing that Radford was there waiting for her. He would protect her. Once she was by his side, she would have nothing to fear.
Slowly making her way back towards the inn, Elsbeth saw three figures standing in the moonlight. Two had their back to her, and, in the distance, she saw another strong figure. A figure she knew to be Lord Radford.
Drawing her skirts up in one hand and taking a deep breath, Elsbeth ran as hard as she could, taking a wide berth past the Duke and his stepson, before shouting Radford’s name. In a moment, she was in his arms again, held tightly against him as he wrapped his arms around her waist.
“Elsbeth,” he gasped, his breathing ragged with surprise. “Elsbeth!”
“Unhand her at once!”
Elsbeth held onto Radford tightly, her arms encircling his neck.
“You found me,” she whispered, ignoring the Duke completely. “I couldn’t let you look for me in vain. I had to be by your side.” Loosening her grip a little, she looked into his eyes, seeing them alight with relief in the moonlight. “I knew you’d keep me safe.”
“Always.”
19
Andrew could barely believe it. Elsbeth was finally back in his arms, having appeared out of nowhere. He had taken the road indicated to him by one of his men and had, after a few wrong turns, finally managed to make his way to the Winter Arms. He had jumped down from his horse just as the Duke had come storming out of the inn, a man he did not recognize by his side.
However, Andrew now realized that this was the Duke’s stepson, Lord Drake, the man meant to marry Elsbeth. Both of them were advancing towards Elsbeth, clearly determined to take her from him by force.
“Stop!” he shouted, anger racing through his veins and setting his body alight. “Elsbeth is my betrothed. She belongs in my house. You are not to touch her.”
Setting her a little behind him, Andrew took a step back towards his horse, grasping Elsbeth’s hand behind his back and tugging it gently. He wanted her to go to the horse, to climb up and ride away if she had to, but the way her fingers curled around his told him that she was not intending to leave his side.
“You will leave her with me,” the Duke replied, darkly, pulling something out from behind his back. “I have not come this far only to have her taken from me.”
A soft click made Andrew stop dead, hearing a gasp of shock from Elsbeth.
“I believe my stepfather has made it quite clear,” Lord Drake said, gruffly. “Hand her over.”
“Never.”
His voice was loud and determined, pushing all fear and doubt away. The Duke was not about to intimidate him with such a thing as a pistol. He was not about to simply step away from Elsbeth for fear that he might be shot. Andrew knew that he would protect her with everything he had, even if it meant giving away his last breath in her defense.
“And how would that look, do you think?”
Elsbeth stepped out from behind Andrew, her hand still in his. “The Duke of Broadshore, shooting an unarmed viscount?”
The Duke snorted. “As if anyone would believe your story.”
“And what makes you think there are not others who would corroborate it?” Elsbeth asked, her voice ringing out in defiance. “I know for certain that the Dowager Viscountess would be able to talk of your threats towards her son, about the way you tore me from my home. Miss Amy, child though she is, can talk of the man who stood by my side when I asked her to go indoors.”
Lord Drake laughed harshly, his voice so like that of the Duke’s. “And who would believe a child? Many will believe that you went with the man willingly.”
“How many would believe a Dowager, a child, the servants, the maids, the innkeeper and my own testimony?” Elsbeth asked, softly, no trace of fear in her words. “I assure you now that, should you continue with this fateful plan of yours, nothing but trouble will come after it.”
There was a short silence. The first streaks of dawn were making their way across the sky and, as Elsbeth watched, she saw a flicker of concern in Lord Drake’s face.
“Your grace, perhaps –”
“Get out of my way!”
The Duke advanced on them both, as Andrew put himself directly in front of Elsbeth once more. Taking his eyes away from the man, he turned towards Elsbeth, seeing the fear in her gaze as she watched the Duke.
“Climb on the horse and ride home from here,” he whispered, squeezing her hand. “Please, Elsbeth. I must know you are safe.”
She shook her head. “No. I will not leave you.”
“You must.”
Her lips trembled as she tried to shake her head no, only for the Duke’s shout to startle her into action. With a sigh of relief, Andrew felt her go, only for the furious face of the Duke to come into his vision.
With a hard shove, Andrew pushed the older man back, far too aware of the pistol still held in his hand. He heard the horse whinny, praying that Elsbeth was already astride, as he grasped for the pistol. The Duke screamed in fury, his eyes wide as he tried to fight for the pistol – and all the while, Lord Drake stood silently, unmoving.
The Duke, despite being an older man, was stronger than Andrew had expected. It did not help that he managed to strike Andrew hard across the face, sending him spiraling into the dirt. Dazed, he heard the Duke shout for Lord Drake to go after Elsbeth and, struggling to get to his feet, Andrew tried to move forward to stop him from doing so.
Everything was moving slowly. Andrew could barely see in the early morning gloom, his vision blurring as he staggered to his feet. From his right, he could see the Duke shouting and gesturing into the darkness, clearly unable to go running after the horse himself, whilst Lord Drake was on his left, only now beginning to move.
Andrew did not hesitate. He knew he had to give Elsbeth as much time as she could to get away, so, despite the pain in his head, he jumped at Lord Drake, intending to tackle him to the ground.
A gunshot sounded, just as he moved. Something tore past his side, burning his skin, only for Lord Drake to scream aloud and fall heavily to the ground.
Then everything became very still.
Andrew shook his head in an attempt to clear his vision, bending on hands and knees as he tried to make sense of what happened. The Duke was silent, Lord Drake said nothing, and even the dawn chorus of birds seemed to have been startled into silence.
“Drake!”
The word was more of a moan than a cry, and s
lowly, as Andrew turned his head, he realized that Lord Drake was now bleeding from a wound to his shoulder. The Duke, the pistol now lying uselessly in his hand, collapsed by his stepson’s side, looking down helplessly at the blood.
“Here.”
Andrew didn’t know what he was doing, or why he was helping the man, but tearing the coat from his back, he threw it over Lord Drake and instructed the Duke to press down at the wound.
“I do not think he will die,” he said, somehow managing to get to his feet. “But you will need a doctor.”
It was only then that he realized that the bullet had burned a line across his ribs before going into Lord Drake. Because Andrew had been trying to get the man on the ground, the bullet had hit them both at different angles. Closing his eyes for a moment, Andrew drew in a ragged breath, trying to battle the waves of pain that were now shooting through his body.
“Radford!”
Elsbeth jumped down from her horse and came running towards him, her face sheet white in the early morning dawn.
“I am all right,” he promised, seeing how her eyes were drawn to the blood seeping through his shirt. “Just a scratch.” Despite the pain, he took her into his arms again, holding her tightly. He felt her begin to weep, her tears dampening his shirt.
“It is all over now, I promise,” he whispered, one hand pressed lightly against the back of her head as he closed his eyes, breathing her in. “We can return home. You need not fear the Duke again.”
“I did not ever want to be a duchess,” she whispered in his ear, her sobs slowly abating. “I would have given up everything for you, Radford. I only ever wanted to be by your side.”
“And you shall always be there,” he promised, suddenly desperate to have her as his wife. “We should go now. My mother and Miss Amy will be worried.”
Letting go of him for a moment, Elsbeth looked back to where the Duke and his son were lying, aware of the innkeeper now hurrying towards them. “What happened?” she asked, as the Duke began to give frantic instructions to the innkeeper. “I don’t understand.”
Andrew shook his head. “He tried to stop me and shot the one person he actually has some consideration for,” he replied, heavily. “Lord Drake did not appear to be as convinced as the Duke as to what he was meant to do, at least. I do not think that either of them will ever come near you again.” Anger knotted in his stomach. “Although I should like to pay him back for what he did to you, Elsbeth. Goodness, I very nearly lost you.” The frustration in knowing that the man was a Duke and, therefore, able to do almost anything he wished, began to run all through Andrew, tension burning into each muscle of his body.
“I do not want to ever consider him again,” Elsbeth replied, as two figures detached themselves from the back of the inn and began to come towards them. “I think this is punishment enough, Radford. To have injured his own stepson, to have been denied the one thing he sought – I shall be content with that punishment, I think. I will not allow it to hang on me any longer. Instead, I will look to our future with happiness and joy, refusing to allow the dark parts of my life to send their long shadows over it.”
Andrew looked back at her, his eyes meeting hers and, as he saw the smallest of smiles on her face, felt his own frustration and irritation begin to die away. She was right. He had to look to the future and forget the past, leaving the Duke and his stepson to their own choices in life. He would be content with Elsbeth, would spend the rest of his days trying to bring joy and laughter to their life together.
“Then shall we return home, together?” he asked, softly. “I am sure the innkeeper has a hackney we can make use of.”
Elsbeth smiled at him, although the concern did not leave her face as he leaned on her, the pain from the bullet still coursing through him. “I have never had a home before, Radford, but I know that I have found one with you.” She tipped her head as two maids came towards them, both looking rather hesitant. “And we shall have two more maids in our home too, Radford.”
“Two maids?”
Andrew listened carefully as Elsbeth quickly sketched out the details of what had happened, his gratitude growing all the more.
“Of course, you shall have a place with us,” he said at once, reassuring them both. “For the service you have provided my betrothed, I can never thank you enough.”
And so, within the hour the hackney set off for Radford Estate. Andrew leaned back in his seat with Elsbeth by his side, her head resting on his shoulder as he wrapped one arm around her. His heart was full, relief and love sweeping all through him. Finally, he had his beloved back in his arms, never to be parted from him again. He could not wait to make her his bride.
Epilogue
“That was a beautiful wedding.”
Elsbeth sighed happily to herself as the Dowager pressed one gentle hand on her shoulder.
“I am very glad to have you as my daughter in law – and the new Viscountess Radford,” the Dowager continued, gently. “Thank you for all you have done, Elsbeth. I have never seen my son as happy as he is today.”
“I feel much the same,” Elsbeth replied, feeling as though she were almost glowing with happiness. “After what we went through together, I believe nothing can ever break us apart.”
“Nor do I.”
Turning her head, Elsbeth smiled softly as her new husband, Lord Andrew Radford, walked into the drawing room and slipped one arm around her waist. He was more handsome than she had ever seen him, his eyes warm and filled with love. A sigh of contentedness escaped her as she leaned against him, safe in his arms.
“And you have heard nothing from the Duke?” the Dowager asked, as Andrew shook his head. “What a terrible man he is.”
“The last I heard from my steward, Lord Drake is at home recuperating and intends to go to London for the season next year,” he replied, with a small shrug. “No-one has heard from or seen the Duke. I would suspect that he is back at his estate, trying to keep himself away from any rumors that might start up from what happened.”
Elsbeth shuddered despite herself, recalling with a little too much clarity the last time she had looked into the Duke’s eyes. He had turned from where his stepson lay on the ground to look into her eyes as she’d made her way towards the hackney, and she had grown chilled by what she’d seen there. There was such malice, such hatred and yet, such anxiety over what he’d managed to do. Elsbeth had known then that he would not come after her again, would not dare to do so after what he had inadvertently done in injuring Lord Drake. She had not felt any sadness for him, nor any regret. Instead, she felt as though he had brought such a calamity upon himself.
“I do not mean to upset you,” Radford murmured, his arm tightening around her waist. “Forgive me.”
She smiled and shook her head. “It is forgotten,” she replied, quickly. “And now that we are wed, I can look forward to our life here together.”
“Which will start the moment we return from our honeymoon,” Radford declared, as the Dowager smiled at them both. “Come now, my dear. The carriage is waiting.”
Feeling as though she might burst with delight, Elsbeth pressed a kiss to the Dowager’s cheek, only for Miss Amy to come running into the room, caught up with the delights of the wedding day. Laughing, Elsbeth managed to kiss her cheek also, eliciting a promise from her to be on her very best behavior for the Dowager. She had no doubt that Miss Amy and her grandmother would get along very well and was already looking forward to returning to them both. To be a mother to Amy instead of a governess would be a challenge indeed, but it was one she was looking forward to.
“I cannot wait a moment longer,” Radford whispered in her ear, tugging her away. “Come with me, Elsbeth.”
Blushing furiously, Elsbeth allowed him to lead her down the staircase and into the waiting carriage, pausing only to collect a small, paper wrapped parcel that she had specifically asked to be left for her. Ensuring that Radford did not see her do so, she stepped inside and, after only a few moments, then began
to wave out of the window to the Dowager and Amy as the carriage began to roll away.
“Finally, we are alone,” Radford smiled, looking over at her tenderly. “Are you happy, my love?”
“I am,” Elsbeth replied, softly, picking up the paper wrapped parcel and, unfolding it, gently taking out a delicate amadis flower. “Here, Radford. Here is the flower you once asked to purchase from me.”
His eyes widened and he stared at her for a moment, before taking it from her. “My goodness,” he breathed, brushing one gentle finger down a delicate leaf. “The first time we met, was it not?”
It was as clear in her mind as though it had taken place only yesterday. “It was,” she murmured, smiling at him. “Although you were rather different back then.”
He shook his head, his gaze lingering on the flower for a moment before his eyes drew up to her own. “My love,” he murmured, setting the flower aside and pulling her over onto his seat as they made their way out of the gates. “I believe I called you ‘a fair flower’, did I not? Well, I must tell you, my love, that you are the most beautiful creature I have ever set eyes on. Fairer than any flower, more lovely and delicate than any bloom.”
His eyes warmed as she ran one hand down his cheek, feeling her heart swell with love for him. Their wedding day had been wonderful, filled with laughter and happiness, but she had longed to be alone with her husband, longed to be able to whisper words of love to him that only he would hear.
“I have never loved anyone as much as I have loved you,” he continued, his gaze softening. “My dear Elsbeth, whatever would have become of me if you had not turned me down in such a way the first time we met?”
She laughed softly, remembering how arrogant and proud he had been. “But you are not that man any longer, Radford, and I love the man you have become.” Her lips curved with a smile as he pressed a kiss to her temple. “You have become everything to me and I love you with all of my heart.”
His lips met hers in a gentle kiss, passion beginning to burn between them. “I love you, Elsbeth,” Lord Radford whispered, one hand brushing down her cheek. “And I always will.
