The Earl and His Lady: A Regency Romance (Branches of Love Book 4)

by Sally Britton

  “Yes Gresham. And when everyone has returned, see to it all the men get a good, strong drink and whatever food they need.” Lucas met her shocked expression and grinned. “He’s very loyal.”

  “I know.” She kept moving and saw Nurse Smythe stick her head around a doorway.

  “Oh, thank the Lord,” the nurse said, then disappeared. Virginia hurried forward and entered the music room just as the panel concealing the secret passage slid aside and her sons tumbled out. “It’s all right, boys. Your mother and father are back.”

  Virginia dropped to her knees and opened her arms, tears burning behind her eyes. The boys came out, shaking and talking all at once, running into her embrace. Virginia looked up at Lucas.

  His eyes were shining and as she watched, tears escaped. He knelt next to them, hesitating, asking her for permission with the look on his face. Virginia nodded, offering him what must’ve been a tremulous smile. Lucas’s long arms opened and he wrapped them around them all, holding the boys, holding her.

  “Papa’s back,” Edward whispered loudly into her ear. “Did he save you?”

  “Yes, darling.” She met Lucas’s gaze over the children’s heads. “Again.”

  He chuckled and shook his head, holding them all tighter.

  “Next time you go to London, you better take us with you,” Phillip said, his voice muffled as his face was still pressed into Virginia’s shoulder.

  “I won’t leave you behind anymore,” Lucas said firmly.

  The walls around her heart had been crumbling for weeks, but now they fell to the ground at last. Lucas was a man of his word. He wouldn’t leave again. And finally, she would have the chance to tell him what she could never have put in a letter.

  Chapter Twenty-nine

  “Papa?” At Edward’s quiet greeting, Lucas looked up from his desk, a smile already on his face. “May we come in?” Edward had put his face around the door, an earnest look in his eyes.

  “Please, do.” Putting his pen down, Lucas stood. Edward pushed the door open and came in, Phillip directly behind him.

  “How are you this morning, Phillip? Edward?” Lucas gestured to the chairs on the other side of his desk. “And does Nurse know you’re here?”

  “Yes, Papa,” they chorused, taking their seats before him.

  “I have wanted to speak to you both since yesterday. It was a very hectic afternoon, wasn’t it?”

  They nodded and Phillip started talking rapidly. “I was frightened for Mother, but I knew she wouldn’t want us to make a sound.” After the initial heightened emotion began to wear down, Lucas had received a full account of all that had happened from everyone.

  No one had heard Macon enter the house aside from Virginia and the boys. The servants had all been called to their hall for special instruction. Gresham had been most apologetic, though no fault could be laid at his feet. Phillip had pulled Edward away from the rails when he heard his mother’s fright and listened to everything, then took Edward to the secret passage before running to find the servants. He told them what he heard and Gresham took over like a general. Two maids escorted Phillip to the secret passage, then told Nurse what had happened. Lucas had been astounded by Virginia’s quick thinking to lead the villain away from the house, but she had not allowed a single compliment to be given. She insisted she did what any mother would, and that was to lead danger away from her children.

  It could have gone terribly wrong when Macon realized her trickery. Lucas tried not to think on it, afraid of what he might do, what acts he might commit against the man for threatening his family.

  It was done. Gerard Macon was in custody and would stand trial. Lucas would do all he could to have the man transported, as he promised, but he would never lose sleep thinking on the man’s fate.

  Lucas looked between Phillip and Edward, two of the most important people in the world as far as he was concerned. “You both did very well. Your bravery is commendable, and I rather think it deserves a reward.”

  The brothers exchanged a glance, then Edward tilted his head to the side and narrowed his eyes. “I thought the cake was our reward.”

  Lucas chuckled. In light of the disturbing events, Cook had presented the family with an enormous lemon cake, covered in lavender frosting, before dinner.

  “I think the cake was Cook’s way of saying she was grateful you two were safe,” he said. “But I had another thought. Long ago, I promised you both a picnic. And if you will look outside, you will see we’ve been given a blue sky and sun. Would you two join me?”

  “And what about me?” another voice asked. Virginia stood framed by the dark wood casing of the door, her summer-gold hair worn half up in a bandeau, the other half loose across her shoulders. She wore a dress of pale lavender, almost white, which Lucas found caused her eyes to appear darker, like the depths of a pool in the forest. “May I join you?”

  “Oh, yes, please. Can Mother come too?” Phillip asked.

  Virginia’s smile grew slowly as she kept his gaze and only then did Lucas realize he was staring.

  Taking hold of himself, Lucas turned his attention to the boys and nodded. “Of course. As she wishes to, and as we must honor a lady’s wishes, she will come. I thought, as luncheon would normally be about now, we should leave right away.”

  Edward didn’t need to be told twice. He leaped from his seat. “Can we picnic by the lake, at the castle?”

  “That would be lovely,” Virginia said, before Lucas could suggest another location. He met her eyes again, looking for any sign of distress, but there was nothing in her expression to hint that going to the scene of yesterday’s drama would upset her. Virginia’s strength and courage, her level-headedness in the face of danger, gave him further cause to admire her.

  “Phillip, would you please tell Gresham? The staff will prepare our picnic for us while you both get ready.”

  Phillip nodded. “Come on, Edward.” The two boys walked out of the room, bowing as they passed their mother, but the instant they were in the hall the sound of their feet pounding away at a run echoed behind them.

  Virginia laughed and turned, meeting Lucas’s eyes with that tender, gentle look he had noticed the day before. Something was different about her smile, too. Yesterday, in the midst of all the chaos and calm, he told himself it was only gratitude he saw. Perhaps she had been euphoric in her relief. But that was all. Allowing himself to read more into it would drive him mad.

  “I will see you shortly. I’m afraid I’m not dressed for a picnic.” She gestured to her morning gown and he nodded his understanding. Then she disappeared and he sat down heavily, feeling his strength leave him.

  Would it always be this way in her presence? When she left a room, it was as though she took all the light with her.

  Lucas shook his head and dropped his face into his hands, trying to clear his thoughts.

  I’m stronger than this. I will control myself. So saying, he stood and went to make himself ready for the walk to the lake. He imagined he would be climbing into a tree as well.

  By the time he was ready, the boys were in the entry hall chattering at Nurse Smythe. Virginia met him on the landing, her dress a more sensible one for a walk out of doors. It was pale blue. Had he ever seen her in blue? Was blue a mourning color now?

  He cleared his throat and tried not to notice, offering his arm to escort her down the steps.

  When they stepped outside, the boys were a great deal like pups. They ran forward only to come back, jumped through the grass, and walked in circles around Virginia and Lucas. The whole while they laughed and chattered away about all they had done with Lucas gone, and about their castle in the trees. He couldn’t help smiling as he watched their antics, a sense of contentment entering his heart. Their happiness, their safety and ease, gave him more joy and more purpose than any endeavor of his life had yet to bring.

  Virginia, on his arm, trusting him so completely with her life and the lives of her sons, sharing them with him unselfishly, completed him.<
br />
  He risked a look down at her just as she laughed, watching Phillip spin in circles ahead of them. Hearing her laugh, seeing her eyes dance and sparkle, the pleasant flush in her cheeks, made his heart swell. He loved her, with everything he was, and if all he could ever receive from her in return was this unfettered happiness, he could be content. He must be so.

  Virginia looked up at him, smiling wide. “I never thought I would see Phillip so happy again. But this summer, with all you’ve done for him, and in this beautiful place, he is the child I remember. Edward is more full of life than ever, too. Thank you, Lucas. For everything.”

  He pulled his gaze away from hers, his heart pounding in his chest. “You have all given me a greater happiness than I had before, too. Thank you for that, my lady.”

  Two liveried footmen were at the bottom of the hill, putting finishing touches on the picnic. Cups, plates, and cold food had been laid out. The boys pounced on the food and Virginia pulled away from Lucas to hurry after them, calling out instructions to mind their manners as she went.

  Lucas paused, standing still on the rise, admiring his family. Watching Virginia call the boys to order, listening to them giggle. They sat nestled on the ground beneath the trees, the lake behind them glimmering in the afternoon sun.

  Never had he imagined he would have so much in his life. But even with all his wealth, his titles, the grand estate at his back, Lucas knew what meant the most to him in the world, and it was right before his eyes. His family. His wife, his children.

  “Are you coming, Papa?” Edward’s voice called.

  “Of course. I cannot let you lot eat all this food without me,” he answered, joining them to laugh beneath the trees.

  ¤

  With a folded piece of paper in his hands, Lucas paced in the parlor. He wore his evening clothes to go into dinner with Virginia. He’d found the letter an hour previous, while going through Edward’s stack of artwork on his desk. He’d been surprised to recognize Virginia’s hand, to see she had written him a letter, but it remained unfinished. Why hadn’t she finished it? And why had she left it on his desk in such a manner? Was she trying to tell him something?

  The letter expressed her gratitude, which he understood, but it ended on such a different note. She had missed him. She’d longed for him to return, if he read the letter correctly. She’d written in detail about his absence. Why hadn’t she sent the letter? When did she write it? If he would’ve received even one line of such expressions before, he would have come home much, much sooner.

  But the last lines, those were what confused him, and gave him the most hope. For so long, I thought I was the strong one. I thought I knew what was best for my sons and for myself. But as I look back over my time as your wife, I have realized something. I have realized—

  What had she realized?

  Could she possibly feel for him as he did for her?

  Lucas attempted to quell that thought. It wasn’t appropriate for him to even speculate on the matter before her mourning period was over. Until then, he must keep his hopes silent, his emotions in check, and his heart resolute. Virginia might already suspect something, after the rather difficult exchange between them at Heatherton Hall. But with a month between those events, maybe she had forgotten—or at least would pretend to forget.

  The door opened and Lucas fixed a calm smile to his face before he turned. He moved to tuck the letter behind him. It might not be wise to ask her about it after all.

  His breath caught.

  Candles and the light from the fading sun bathed the room in a soft glow, and Virginia stood there, eyes luminous, vibrant, and joyful. Jewels were in her hair, making it look like a celestial crown of stars had nestled in the golden waves. Her cheeks were a dusky pink, her smile gentle. And she wasn’t wearing black, or gray, or lavender, or brown.

  The gown was shades of blue and green, shining in the gentle light, encasing her form in silk swaths.

  Virginia smiled and his heart nearly burst from his chest, so rapid was his pulse and strong his desire to step forward and take her in his arms.

  “Good evening, Lucas,” she said, her voice wrapping him in its spell.

  “Virginia,” he said her name with awe. Could this truly be her? Was he dreaming?

  She came forward slowly, her skirts swishing and her eyes never leaving his. What could he say? What could she possibly mean for him to know? It took everything he had not to ask, not to reach for her.

  She stopped when she was an arm’s length away from him. “I have something I must say.”

  Lucas’s ability to speak had apparently completely left him. All he could do was nod.

  “I have decided that following my heart takes precedence over the expectations of society. I didn’t mean for it to happen, but now that it has, I do not feel that Charles would see the matter with anything other than approval. He was a very good man and would want all of us to be happy. And he never cared for mourning customs very much anyway. He hated black.” She spoke clearly but quickly, her eyes searching his with each word, but he didn’t entirely understand.

  “You don’t wish to wear black?” he asked, his brow drawing down, his hope fading.

  “No. Yes.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “This was supposed to be easy.”

  Lucas shook his head and reached out, to take her hands, but he stopped, remembering he held her letter still. “Does it have something to do with this?” He raised the paper for her to see.

  The pink in her cheeks turned red. “I’d forgotten about that.”

  “Oh.” They both stared at the paper, then Virginia did the unthinkable and stepped closer to him.

  Her fingers went to his cheek. Lucas met her eyes.

  “I loved Charles. I have no wish to forget that or to forget him. But I have every intention of living a life of happiness and filling it with love.”

  Hope burst free of its chains and took flight in his chest. “You do?” he whispered. He dropped the letter and raised a hand to her cheek. “Virginia?”

  “Yes,” she said, her eyes reflecting back at him the words he didn’t know if he dared speak. But Virginia saved him. “I love you,” she said, and then again when he froze. “I love you, Lucas. Please don’t ever leave me again.”

  Lucas’s answer was to bring his lips to hers, brushing against them in a gentle, tentative kiss.

  Is this real?

  Virginia responded, her lips caressing his, her hands resting against his chest. Lucas slipped his hand from her cheek gently to her jaw, then to cradle the back of her head. Her kiss tasted like fireworks, and long summer days in the sunlight, and oranges, and every good thing he could remember. His free arm wrapped around her waist, pulling her closer, and she sighed as she deepened their kiss.

  They parted for breath, her eyes opened, and Lucas could see the rest of his life in their deep green depths.

  He was married to this beautiful, intelligent, brave woman.

  “I love you,” he told her, dropping his forehead against hers, the tips of their noses touching. “I have loved you for so long, but I didn’t think— I didn’t want to presume anything.”

  “Because you are good, kind, and noble.” She punctuated her words with a quick kiss on his lips, but as she pulled away he bent to capture her lips again, more tenderly. She responded in kind, sliding her hands across his shoulders and around his neck. She fit perfectly in his arms, her lips against his, and Lucas had no intention of ever letting her go.

  A quiet cough interrupted them. Lucas looked up over her head.

  “It’s Gresham,” he whispered, bending to speak closer to her ear.

  “Ah. Does he look pleased?” she asked, not stepping away from his embrace.

  Lucas hadn’t thought to look that closely. He could feel his cheeks reddening. He glanced at his butler, who wore a supremely smug expression on his wrinkled face. “Yes.”

  “Good.” She pressed a brief kiss to his jaw and turned to face the butler. “Gresham, is dinner
ready?”

  “It is, my lady.” Gresham then did the most absurd thing Lucas had ever seen him do. He winked. At Virginia. Then stood aside for them to go into dinner. Lucas glanced at Virginia in time to see her wink back at the old man.

  “I think it’s time to give Gresham a cottage and his pension. A very generous pension,” she said cheerfully, looking up at Lucas as if it was the most normal sort of conversation for them to have.

  “You do?” A smile tugged at Lucas’s mouth.

  “Yes.” Then she stopped beside her chair, dazzling him with her smile and the light of love in her eyes. “I love you, Lucas.”

  What could he do, but kiss her again?

  Chapter Thirty

  May 1822

  Virginia lifted her skirts and ran down the gallery hall, two squealing little girls running before her. They raced by their ancestors hanging on the wall, but just before they reached the stair, Lucas jumped from around the corner.

  “Ah ha! Found you at last!” The girls halted too quickly and stumbled.

  “They were in the passage,” Virginia said, trying not to laugh as her daughters grabbed hold of each other to stay upright.

  Lucas turned to call down the steps. “Phillip, we found them! Call off the search.”

  Phillip’s voice, still changing but promising to settle into a rich timbre, came up the steps. “All right, I’ll tell the others. And remind the girls that the passage is cheating!”

  Lucas turned back to his daughters, crossing his arms over his chest. “You heard him.”

  “It was Emma’s idea,” the younger of the two said loudly, pointing at her nine-year-old sister. Amelia was only six.

  Emma folded her arms in a near perfect imitation of her father. “No, it wasn’t. It was Amelia’s.”

  A shout came from upstairs. “Did you find them, Papa?”