No Law Against Love 2

by Zoë Archer

  “Yeah, I’m back and this time I’m not leaving. We lost one another before and I don’t want that to happen again.”

  “Oh, Zach.” Eden swallowed hard and bit down on her lip to keep from bawling as father and son walked toward her.

  “I’m Sam,” the child piped up. “You’re pretty.”

  Eden knelt before the youngster. “Why thank you, Sam. It’s nice to finally meet you.”

  Sam smiled, revealing two missing front teeth. “Will you marry my dad, Miss Summers?”

  “Sam!” Zach admonished.

  One look up into Zach’s eyes told her why he’d returned. He was ready to take the next step.

  “Dad’s not right in the head,” the child continued. “He won’t eat. He can’t sleep.”

  Zach pulled a sad clown face and rubbed an imaginary tear from his eye.

  Eden bit back a smile and ruffled the child’s fluffy red hair. “Is that so, Sam? What other symptoms does your father have?”

  “He says he can’t keep his mind on work because he misses you something awful. If you marry him, Dad will feel better again. Besides,” the boy added with a shrug, “he doesn’t have anyone to play Padre Island with.”

  Eden shot Zach a warning look. He gave her a silly lopsided grin. Things were moving fast, but she didn’t care. It felt right. She loved Zach and she knew she’d love Sam, too. “Then I guess I’ll have to marry your father, won’t I?”

  Eden stood and slipped into Zach’s embrace. Sam’s skinny arms went around her, too. Zach gave her a gentle squeeze, then lowered his mouth to hers. She’d waited so long for this moment.

  “Hey, Dad,” Sam interrupted, “can I play Padre Island with you guys, too?”

  “No,” they answered in unison.

  Zach chuckled at their private joke and Eden snickered, unable to contain her amusement.

  “What’s so funny?” Sam asked.

  “Nothing, son. Eden’s just very happy to see us.”

  Zach’s lips captured hers again and she melted against him, loving the feel of his heartbeat against hers.

  Then Sam hollered, breaking the magic spell.

  “What is it?” they asked in unison.

  “Look at the spiders!” Sam cried, pointing. “They’re everywhere! Oh, wow! There’s a giant one—the granddaddy of them all!”

  Zach blinked. “Hey, is that…Harry?”

  “Harriet,” Eden corrected. “Now I know why we couldn’t find her when we moved the animals. She’d made a nest.”

  Sam’s face lit up. “Can I have a tarantula, Dad? Maybe two or three or…twenty? I’ll take good care of them. I promise.”

  “Perhaps we’d better catch these little guys first,” Zach suggested.

  Eden slipped from his embrace. “Sounds like a great idea before Harriet slips away a second time. There are extra aquariums in the storage room.”

  “I’ll get one!” Sam cried and raced away.

  She hurried to catch up to Sam, but Zach caught her by the wrist and reeled her back to him. “Know what sounds like an even better idea, Eden?”

  “What?”

  “After we round up the baby tarantulas, you and I drive over to city hall to get a license.”

  Eden blinked. “A license? What on earth for?”

  She watched as he slowly eased a small black velvet box from his pants pocket and flipped it open to reveal the most stunning diamond solitaire she’d ever seen.

  “Will you marry me?”

  Eden’s heartbeat quickened and for a moment it felt as if the world might slide out from beneath her feet. “Oh, Zach, are you sure?”

  “I’ve never been more certain of anything in my life.” Taking her hand in his, he slipped the ring on her finger, then kissed her softly on the lips. “Let’s not allow another ten years to slip away. Say you’ll marry me.”

  Eden kissed his face feverishly as tears of joy blinded her. “Oh, yes, I’ll marry you, Zach Barron! Yes, yes, yes, yes, yes!” she said, punctuating each word with a kiss.

  ~~~

  Arkansas It’s illegal to keep an alligator in a bathtub

  Something Wild

  Gerri Bowen

  Madeline tied the ribbons of her black bonnet securely under her chin, carefully buttoned her gloves, tied her shawl just so and then studied her reflection in the mirror. A very proper looking woman stared back. With a satisfied nod she called for her nephews.

  When Larkwing, their butler, appeared, she informed him she and the twins would be visiting Highspot.

  “I don’t expect to be long. But if my brother should awaken and ask for me…”

  Larkwing nodded and held the door. Madeline grabbed her twin nephews by their collars as they dashed past.

  “We will walk briskly, not run,” she told them. “You will escort me and offer your arms, if you please.” She nodded when their arms were linked. “You are ten and four, therefore no jumping in puddles. Nor walking through puddles. I wish to arrive at Highspot in as immaculate a state as possible, if you please.”

  “Do you think Lord Baylor will help?” Simon asked.

  “That is what I hope to determine. Which is why you both must be on your best behavior whilst I’m inside.” She gave her severe look to each in turn. “No sneaking up on grooms or servants, no screams, nor behind-closed-door noises. Not only is my future in peril, but yours as well if Sir Insufferable the toad-face, shite-breath, chinless scoundrel has his way.” She blinked rapidly. “Ignore what I just said.” She shook her head. Her wildness was escaping again.

  “Why doesn’t Uncle Trevor deal with Sir Insufferable?” Hunter asked. “He’s a hero.”

  Madeline harrumphed. “My brother has yet to reconcile himself to the fact that, although he returned home alive, he returned home minus a leg.”

  “Half a leg,” Hunter corrected. “Well, gone from below the knee. About—”

  “Since I’ve had the care of my brother, I know how much of his leg remains.”

  “She meant metaphorically, dolt, not literally,” Simon said.

  “You’re the dolt!”

  Madeline halted, perforce bringing her nephews to a halt. “We will not engage in fighting, verbally or figuratively, if you please.”

  “He’s a hero,” Hunter muttered once they resumed walking. “Doesn’t matter if most of his leg is gone.”

  Madeline nodded once. “A hero and well-respected officer. Unfortunately, so lost in self-pity he doesn’t realize his life hasn’t ended. Merely changed.”

  Hunter grinned at his aunt. “I would never stay abed all day and drink brandy. I would learn how to ride again, and help—”

  Simon stopped. “You can’t know that! Our uncle was a hero, an officer, and now he’s nothing! How would you feel if all you knew was taken from you?”

  Madeline’s eyes brimmed over. Whether from Simon’s surprisingly compassionate speech, or the fact his words echoed her fears, she didn’t know.

  “He is too something! He’s the Earl of Ardmoor!”

  The twins stood nose to nose.

  “Well…” Madeline could see Simon strived for a retort. “His own brother had to die for him to become earl!”

  She lifted her chin. “Enough of this, if you please!”

  ~~~

  Simon and Hunter remained where their aunt left them for perhaps all of two minutes. Then they wandered about the circled drive, kicking at the gravel.

  “What if Lord Baylor doesn’t help?” Simon asked. “Or believes, as the vicar does, she should wed Sir Insufferable?”

  “She was nervous,” Hunter said. “She always walks fast when she’s nervous.”

  “And says, ‘if you please’ as if it didn’t please her to say so.”

  They looked back at the house. “I wish we could do something,” Simon said.

  “I think our idea of using the longbow on Sir Insufferable worth pursuing.”

  Simon shook his head. “We might kill him. Our aim isn’t as good as hers.”

&nbs
p; “If father were here—”

  “He’s not, and we never know when he’ll put back in.” Simon frowned. “There must be something we could do. Once father returns he said we’d be old enough to join him on ship.”

  “What about Henry and Joy? Aunt Maddy would still have them.”

  “Henry’s only twelve, so that’s two years before she’d have to worry about that silly longbow law. Joy’s a girl, so it doesn’t apply to her.”

  “Aunt Maddy should get herself a husband.”

  Simon snorted. “That’s what started this debacle.”

  “How come you know so many more words than I do?”

  “I’m the eldest.”

  Hunter rolled his eyes. “By minutes.”

  ~~~

  Madeline’s stomach plummeted when her planned audience with Lord Baylor was postponed. Lady Baylor came upon her and insisted she greet their guests, going so far as to link her arm through Madeline’s arm so Madeline couldn’t escape.

  She cringed. She would have avoided Highspot if she’d known the baron and his wife had returned with guests. Now her requested audience would have to wait. Even worse, she would have to pay particular attention to what she said. And how she behaved. Did other women have this problem? Only wild women, a little voice inside answered. Madeline wanted to jump up and down on that little voice.

  There were two couples inside the drawing room with Baron Baylor. All looked with interest when she and Lady Baylor entered. Madeline heard Lady Baylor’s laughter, heard her say something witty about finding her in the hall. Madeline supposed it was witty; her mind ceased to function as soon as she had seen him. People laughed. He laughed. Then began the introductions. Madeline could feel her heart beat faster. It was him! The gentleman from her short season. He was an earl? The Earl of Spode? She didn’t think he was an earl six years ago.

  “I remember Lady Madeline,” he said as he smiled and bowed over her gloved hand.

  What was she to say to that? I remember you as well? Yours is the only face I recall from my short, happy season? His dark hair had a mahogany tint and a bit of curl. She pulled her gaze from the intriguing implications of his hair, and focused on his eyes. Ah, yes. His eyes were a dark amber in color, edged with thick lashes. Many a night she’d sighed over the memory of those eyes; what might have developed between them had she remained in London.

  His voice was low. “I regret we never shared the supper dance you promised me,” he said.

  Ah, but you have no idea how much I have regretted that as well. Madeline smiled and said nothing. Did he really remember her? The others were introduced. Lady Emily was his sister. Baron Whiteleaf and Lady Diana were brother and sister. How many minutes must pass before she could excuse herself? She couldn’t help but look in the earl’s direction. Which caused a blush to rise because he always met her stare.

  “Are you related to the new earl of Ardmoor, Lady Madeline?” Baron Whiteleaf asked.

  “My brother.”

  “Ah. Yet isn’t the principal holding in Surrey?”

  Madeline inclined her head. “I prefer Cornwall.”

  “Is your brother with you? I believe he was wounded at Orthez?”

  “Yes.”

  “You were in London, Lady Madeline?” Lady Diana asked. “Some years ago, I presume?”

  Madeline looked at Lady Diana. Although grateful for the change in topic, she didn’t care for the way Lady Diana eyed her outdated clothes. “Six years ago, yes.” Madeline smiled.

  Lady Diana leaned forward. “The ton can be cruel when one doesn’t take.”

  “I’m sorry, Lady Diana, I wouldn’t know. I took. My season was cut short.”

  Lady Diana drew back and narrowed her eyes. “You are in mourning?”

  “Lady Madeline,” Lady Baylor said as she gave Madeline a sharp look, “should be out of her mourning, but refuses to don color.”

  “Yes,” Madeline agreed. How to explain she used her black and grey clothes as a defense against unwanted attention?

  All looked up when the doors opened. Madeline rose. “Such a lovely visit, but we—”

  “Nonsense. Stay where you are,” Lady Baylor said. With a large smile she ushered the twins inside.

  “Sorry,” Simon said, though he didn’t look the least bit sorry.

  “It was beginning to rain,” Hunter said. “Is there tea?”

  ~~~

  Robert Baideson, the twelfth Earl of Spode, gave silent thanks to whom or whatever had brought Lady Madeline back into his life. She was as lovely as he remembered. More so. Well, what he saw of her. Her bonnet covered her hair, but he assumed it was still red; a pretty sort of red streaked with gold. Her figure impossible to determine due to the shapeless gown and drab shawl she wore. The girl he recalled had a figure that showed promise of developing into something a man might never tire of loving. That he would have to determine. Robert remembered her eyes in particular. Large eyes a shade of green that brought to mind deep woods and moss and wood nymphs, and dappled sunshine on naked, white skin.

  Robert was content for the nonce to watch and listen. He believed he’d found his countess, but six years had passed, after all. She might have changed, but he didn’t believe so. She’d recognized him when they were introduced. There had been awareness when he’d looked into her eyes; her fingers had trembled in his; her lips had parted, as if in invitation. That certain something had been present when they touched—six years ago and again just minutes ago. Now he’d found her, and if she proved to be all he thought, he would woo her.

  Robert was not pleased by Lady Diana’s questions, but admired Lady Madeline’s refusal to be insulted; she showed herself to good advantage. But he could tell his future countess was uncomfortable by the questions asked by Whiteleaf. A poser. Why should such questions make her uncomfortable?

  When her nephews entered the room, Robert thought she might swoon. But his future countess was made of sterner stuff than that. She gave them each a look, promising severe retribution—though he was pleased to note she managed such a feat with none but he the wiser. Although one might argue the boys too young to participate in afternoon tea with adults, Robert was impressed by their maturity. Lord, he remembered himself at that age. Her nephews conduct and conversation were exemplary. As it appeared Lady Madeline had their raising for the past six years…his future countess acquitted herself well on that score.

  Robert’s attention focused on the conversation when he saw Lady Madeline’s lips press together. Saw her ramrod back inch higher; he wouldn’t have thought that possible. Whiteleaf had said something to the boys about ships. When he saw her rise, he stood, and pulled up his sister as well.

  “Emily and I will be pleased to accompany you and your nephews, Lady Madeline.”

  His sister turned to him in question. He looked at her, trying to convey with his eyes what he couldn’t say aloud. Do this or surrender your allowance for the next century.

  “Wait until I get my bonnet,” Emily said, and gracefully exited the drawing room.

  ~~~

  Robert learned a great deal from the twins on their walk home. Some of which was useful to him. Most important, he learned the reason for Lady Madeline’s visit to Highspot.

  “I’ve heard of sillier laws,” Robert said to the twins. Lady Madeline and his sister walked ahead, and he enjoyed watching the sway of his future countess’ hips, but the presence of her nephews precluded more acute observation. “I shouldn’t think it too difficult to change the law; I could introduce legislation. Or find a more sympathetic clergyman, for that matter. You say the way the law is now, all males over the age of fourteen must practice the longbow two hours a week under the supervision of a clergyman?”

  “Local clergyman,” Simon said.

  “And your vicar refuses?”

  “That’s why our aunt wanted to talk to Lord Baylor, to see if he could talk to the vicar, or talk to Sir Insuf—Sir Basil,” Hunter said.

  “Why does Sir Basil pursue this? To m
y knowledge our country no longer depends on bowmen for her defense.”

  “Aunt Madeline says it is his way to plague her into accepting him as husband.”

  Robert pursed his lips and glanced at Simon. “Does your aunt pine for another? Is that why she is unwed?” He wondered at the glance the twins exchanged.

  “She says she has enough just with the four of us.” Hunter smiled at him. “But we’ll be going with our father when he sets sail again. He captains his own ship! Only Henry and Joy will be here, and then soon they’ll be gone. Our aunt won’t have anyone.”

  “She’ll have Ardmoor, our uncle. But I expect he’ll marry and then our Aunt Maddy will be all alone.” Simon sighed loudly.

  Robert nodded. “No doubt it would ease your mind to know your aunt happily wed.”

  He saw them look at one another as if to say they hadn’t thought it would be so easy. Robert smiled. “I think I should tell you…”

  ~~~

  Emily didn’t want to walk with Lady Madeline, for she thought the woman cold, more concerned with propriety than conversation. But as it was obvious her brother had developed an unaccountable interest in the woman, Emily would oblige his request. As their walk progressed, Emily changed her mind. Lady Madeline was all that was pleasant, pointing out flowers and shrubs, birds familiar to Cornwall, even speaking of local legends and myths. She asked Emily about her season, and told amusing stories of her own, short season. They conversed amiably until they reached Ardmoor House, where both seemed loath to end their speech.

  Lady Madeline invited them in, but her brother declined, and instead asked if they might visit on the morrow.

  When it looked to Emily as if her new friend was unsure whether or not to agree, her brother said he thought he might have a plan to thwart Sir Insufferable. Might he speak further on the subject when he and his sister visited on the morrow?

  Emily saw Lady Madeline’s face turn red. But then Lady Madeline burst out in laughter, as did everyone else.

  Lady Madeline’s eyes still held laughter when she spoke. “Very well, Lord Spode. I look forward to seeing you both.”