But William was dried, in his night clothes, and in bed. The fire was stoked to roaring, the doctor sent for. Trembles still ran through him. She sat, took his cold hand in hers, chafed it, and stared at his beautiful, scarred face. His eyepatch was gone, his whited eye revealed.
“Alright, girl, you want to play nurse?” Lady Judith bustled over with a bucket of bricks taken from the fire. “Wrap these hot bricks in your towels, and then help me get some warm tea down him.”
***
William blinked his blurry eye and focused his sight on the form at his bedside.
Beauty dozed, tired circles under her eyes, dressed simply, her hair pulled into a plain knot at the back of her head.
She was beautiful.
“Beauty.” He reached his hand to hers and clasped it.
She blinked her eyes, woke fully. “Oh, William.” A smile, relieved and exquisitely sweet, spread over her face, sending warm sunlight into his soul. He breathed it in, and the parts of him that were chilled through warmed.
He tugged at her hand, wanting her closer. She rose unresisting, and settled onto the bed beside him, her seated body a mere inch from his side. She leaned over him and set the back of her hand against his forehead, and then his cheeks.
“The fever is still broken. Thank the heavens. I’ve prayed so fervently for you, William.”
“How long?”
“Your fever broke last night, but you have been scarcely conscious for two days. Oh, William, why were you outside? Why did you expose yourself to the storm?”
“I was waiting for you, watching.” He laughed and felt the jolt of it throughout his body. He grimaced. “I was in desperate denial, truly. Hoping against hope you would come.”
“Oh, William, I’m so sorry! I—believe me, I wanted to be here.”
“Why weren’t you, Beauty? You . . .” Fatigue washed over him. “You did not answer my letter. You did not come.”
“That was a horrible misunderstanding. I will tell you all later. But know I wanted to come, and I was devastated when I missed the carriage.”
“That is not an explanation, not at all.”
“It is enough for now. I came.”
“You’re here.”
“Yes. And I’m not leaving.”
“Good.”
Chapter 22
The next he awoke, he felt strong enough to call for his valet and receive assistance in making himself more presentable with a wash and a shave. His man then immediately put him back into bed. William scowled at him. Where was Beauty?
“Beauty’s still here, isn’t she?”
“Yes, Your Grace. Lady Judith sent her to her bed. Once she’s rested, I’m sure she will be right back here again.”
“Good.” He smiled. Here, in his castle, in his rooms, with him, was where he wanted her always. He must make that happen.
***
He had to wait a few hours, full of impatience and growling at the trays of broth and gruel sent up from the kitchens, and ordering Lady Judith to stop hovering over him.
Finally, Beauty appeared at the top of his bedchamber stairs.
“Beauty. You came.” His world righted.
She approached the bed, her gaze running over him, appearing to take him in as fervently as he took in her.
“You are awake.” She reached his side and lifted his hand into hers.
He drew her hand to his mouth and pressed a kiss to the tops of her fingers. Her gaze was gentle, her smile sweet. She appeared as full of the same hope he could feel rising inside him.
He gathered his courage.
“Beauty. I should wait. A man wants to do the thing properly, even if it is for the second time. But my patience is worn away.” Exhaustion washed over him once again at the words. He pushed it back. “This month has been a never-ending nightmare.”
She frowned, concern on her face.
“You read my letter?”
“Yes.” The frown slipped away. Her eyes intensified.
He held her hand and her gaze. He would not let either go until he had her answer.
“What is your response, Beauty? Will you marry me?”
She breathed in, her breath uneven. She blinked bright, wet eyes. “You still want me, William, though ragged and late?”
“Yes, I want you. I will always want you.” His heart rate increased. “I love you.”
“Then, yes.” She nodded, tears welling. “Yes, I will marry you.”
His heart soared, and his blood raced in his veins. ”Yes?”
“Yes, oh, yes. I love you, too.”
***
Beauty’s heart filled to bursting. William’s face softened, his beautiful eyes—gray and cloud-white—both together held an expression of wonder. A smile spread over his face.
He surged forward. She gave a yip of surprise. He gathered her in his arms and pulled her into him.
She found herself draped over his lap, cradled in his arms, with his face buried in her neck.
Gooseflesh erupted over her body as his heavy breaths stirred the fine hairs on the nape of her neck, and his strong arms held her safe against him. He ran open-mouthed kisses up and down the side of her neck. She gasped.
“It is not a fever dream?” His voice was deep and hoarse, a rumble of amazement. “I am not hallucinating? You are here?”
“I am here. I’m real,” she breathed and wrapped her arms around him, plunging her fingers into his hair.
He drew back enough to capture her gaze with his. “And you’ll be my wife?”
“If you’ll be my husband.” She could not keep a smile from her face.
The fever had long broken, but his body heat was naturally high. She reveled in the warmth of him surrounding her, the strength of him, the thrill of him holding her.
He captured her mouth with his, and consumed her in a kiss. Their lips moved against each other until they gasped for breath, and her heart soared within her.
She pulled back, guilt hitting her. “Oh, I must warn you, though, William, that while much of me is not what is proper in a duchess, I’ve recently been most improper, and, it may preclude you, you may not wish . . .” Her heart clenched in worry.
He raised a brow at her. “What improper thing did you do, my Beauty?”
“I was in dire straits, you see, so I went several miles on horseback. Astride, not aside, which is why I must confess to you. I was most improper, worse than ever I was before. My ankles were exposed for several miles of road.”
A grin overspread his face. “Oh, but I would have liked to see that.”
She frowned. “If you were a gentleman, you would avert your eyes.”
His expression filled with mischief. “I am not that much a gentleman.”
“What!” Shock and laughter filled her. She tried to smack his chest for saying such an outrageous thing, but he caught her hand and pressed his lips to it, then he pulled her in for a long, caressing kiss. Her heart rushed in joy.
“I leave for a few minutes, and when I return, he’s compromising her,” Lady Judith’s voice interrupted.
They pulled apart. Beauty’s face flamed, and she covered her mouth with a gasp. She tried to push away from him, but his arms held her tight.
“What is happening?” the duchess asked. She stood at the top of the stairs, her footman at her arm, Lady Judith before them.
“He has her on his lap, in his bed. I do think you should insist he marries her. Do you not agree, Duchess?”
“Ah, yes, if my son has my companion in his bed, he shall be marrying her.”
Beauty tried to scramble off of him, but William didn’t let go. “It is good to see you, Mother. Yes, wish us joy. Beauty has agreed to marry me.”
The duchess clapped her hands. “Ah, praise be! My son has found his duchess!”
“Now, hand her over. You are not married yet,” Lady Judith ordered.
He slowly loosed his hold on Beauty but didn’t
assist her in climbing off the bed. She scrambled awkwardly, tangling in skirts and sheets until she was standing once again, her face aflame. She straightened her skirts and clasped her hands in front of her, her eyes downcast.
But when she glanced his direction, the man was grinning at her shamelessly.
“How soon can I get a marriage license?” William asked.
“As soon as you are well enough to go get it yourself,” Lady Judith said.
“Oh, don’t say that.” The duchess smiled and moved further into the room. “He’ll push himself too hard.”
“True.” Lady Judith sniffed.
“If you do the traditional banns, it will be three weeks. You might be fully recovered then,” the duchess said. “And that would allow time for Beauty’s family to be sent for. I’m sure she would like them to be there, wouldn’t you, dear?”
Conflicting emotions ran through Beauty, but her father, and the siblings who loved her, yes, she wanted them to be there. “Yes, Your Grace.” Her voice was too quiet again. She forced it to firm. “I would like my father there, and as much of my family as will come.”
“Of course!” The duchess smiled. “We’ll send the carriage. Several carriages.”
“London for wedding clothes would be—” Lady Judith began.
William interrupted. “She can get all the clothes she wants after the wedding. And I can formally buy them for her, with no shame attached. There are several gowns I’ve already had made, come to think of it, waiting for her to wear them.”
“Oh, William.” Beauty’s heart soared once again. She watched him, happy and amazed that he would be hers in only a few weeks.
Lady Judith gave them both stern looks. “And you’ll be strictly supervised until the wedding is done.”
William gave her a disgruntled glare.
“You need to rest,” the duchess said. Her manservant led her to William’s bedside. She reached her hands out and felt for him. William took his mother’s hand in both of his. She smiled and ran her other hand over his face. “You were quite sick, my darling boy.”
“I feel fine and whole.” He let go of his mother and swung his legs over the side of the bed. He stood and then swayed. “Oh.”
“You are not done recovering. Lay back down,” Lady Judith ordered. “Beauty can stay, but only if you are supervised.”
William sat down, frowning, but took his mother’s hand in his again.
“If you bring her brother in as chaperone, that’ll do the trick.” The duchess’s smile twinkled.
“Oh, no!” Beauty let out a laugh and William scowled.
Epilogue
July 1820, one year later
William and Beauty walked through the rose garden, her arm snugly held in his. Summer’s warmth was still strong over them as dusk approached. The scent of the roses swirled around them, heady and rich.
“And Michael is pleased to return for another year of Cambridge in the fall,” Beauty said, continuing their conversation on the state of her family. “The boys are enjoying their holiday from school. Isaac is now saying he wants to join the army. You know how I feel about that.”
“Yes, but it would be a good employment for him. I’ll be happy to purchase a commission for him when the time comes.”
“He’s only thirteen. May it be far in the future.”
William smiled. “Not so far, love.”
She pinched her lips. “I suppose. Oh, but Frederica is speaking to a nice gentleman in the neighboring town. That courtship may prosper.” She turned to him. “Thank you again, for dowering my sisters.”
“I still would rather not reward them for very nearly destroying us.” William frowned. Beauty looked up at him with pleading, encouraging eyes. He sighed and continued their walk. “But as you’ve said, it is the best way to get them out of our hair.”
She smiled. “It is.”
“I know. Which is why I haven’t refused you. And Elizabeth is still living quietly?” He scowled, as he often did when speaking of Beauty’s eldest sister.
“Yes, and miserable in it. She begs to move back to London, as I’m afraid few in North Lenton show her kindness. But Father so far refuses.”
“That is quite good for her.”
She let that go without comment.
“There is something I want you to see, my Beauty.”
“What, my love?”
His gray eye sparkled with mischief. He hurried her along until she was laughing as his longer strides made her skip and run.
“There, the rose arbor.”
They reached it and entered its cooler confines. Lush, climbing roses of blush pink, white, mauve, and even the deep purple of the roses dedicated to her surrounded and arced over them in a harmonious riot of beauty.
She gave a contented sigh. “Yes, it is lovely. But I have seen it before. What is it you want to show me?”
“Do you also notice that it has grown up very satisfactorily? In fact, anyone inside the rose arbor cannot be seen by anyone outside of it.”
“Yes, I do see what you mean.”
“Which means I can kiss you here in complete privacy.”
“A most lovely spot for kissing.” She laughed as he gathered her close and kissed her deeply.
She ran her hands over his face, caressing him, then looped a finger under the string of his eyepatch, flicking it up and over his forehead in a practiced movement, uncovering his sightless eye, and revealing his dear face unobstructed to her view.
He smiled and captured her eyes with his moonlight and moonshadow gaze, held her as completely as he held her heart. He grasped her hand and pressed kisses to it with every tender word. “Thank you for being my duchess, my wife, my love, my Beauty.”
***
I hope you’ve enjoyed Beauty’s Rose!
Reader reviews are always appreciated.
***
Author’s Note
Here are some nerdy notes, if you are interested in such things.
The Fairy Tale:
I took elements from multiple versions of the Beauty and the Beast fairy tale, especially Villeneuve’s 1740 original La Belle et la Bête story, and Beaumont ’s 1756’s adaption, as well as the Russian version, The Scarlet Flower.
Beauty’s sisters setting back the clocks came from the Russian version.
Some aspects of this story I made up to fit the Regency setting, and I did sneak in a few of my favorite elements from Disney’s versions.
The Rose:
When researching roses, I wanted to find a rose that would arouse an otherwise rational hero to go into a rage at its theft. The standard red rose, though lovely, is rather too common in my opinion.
Undyed blue roses, however, are still an impossibility. Rose hybridizers have been trying to develop a blue strain for centuries, but roses don’t naturally have the pigment that creates blue petals.
Whenever they manage to hybridize a rose with even a hint of purple in its color, they often put ‘blue’ in the official rose name. I find this hilarious. Purple is my favorite color, so I was excited to use purple roses in my plot.
In our century, scientists have been using genetic modification to strive for a true blue rose, and though they are getting closer, they still aren’t quite there. According to Wikipedia (May 2019), they’re still struggling to suppress the natural red pigments in the roses, so all their genetically altered blue roses are a lovely shade of purple. :)
I’ve now written two novels with a horticultural focus, which has gotten me addicted to British gardening shows on Netflix. Monty Don is a wonderful gardening show host. While working on this story, I kept wanting to go buy pretty plants and make my new backyard gorgeous, but then I was still not done writing and editing Beauty’s Rose! Maybe in June.
The Ha-Ha:
I came across ha-ha’s in my garden research, and when I thought of a fun way to use them in the plot of this story, I ran around the house cackling “a
Ha-ha!”
They are often not that deep and are meant to keep sheep off the lawns at country estates without blocking views from the house, but some are still deep enough to endanger your bones if you don’t know it’s there and fall over the edge.
Links with more info:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ha-ha
http://victoriacooperwrites.blogspot.com/2010/11/english-comparison-ha-ha-wall.html
The Telescope:
Early astronomers, from Galileo on, have been excited by the possibility that the moon, the planets, and even the sun were populated with life and people.
You can view a replica of William Herschel's seven-foot speculum mirror telescope here. With the assistance of his sister Caroline Herschel, he used it to discover the planet Uranus in 1781.
***
Acknowledgements
I am so grateful to my awesome-amazing critique partners Karen M. Edwards Pierotti and Madeline Komen. Both of you rescued this manuscript and helped me make it something readable. Thank you so much. You are a blessing to me.
Hugs and thanks to my core beta readers: my sisters Marissa Bischoff, Alejandra Jensen, and Sotia Jensen, and my wonderful mother, Laurie Jensen. Thanks for catching typos and keeping it real!
Many thanks to Ashtyn Newbold for organizing and spearheading the Once Upon a Regency series. I was so excited to join this awesome group of ladies in doing Regency fairy tale retellings. They’re the best.
Thank you to designer Amanda Conley for the beautiful cover, and editor Laura Walker for her excellent work.
***
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***
Read all the books in the Once Upon a Regency series:
The Fairest Heart by Heather Chapman
Beauty's Rose (Once Upon A Regency Book 4) Page 15
