by Cecilia Rene
“Lady Julia St. John, you will control your tongue.” Lady Hempstead’s voice was firm and authoritative.
“Very well.” Julia folded her arms and stomped her foot in defiance.
Madame Beaumont cleared her throat. “I shall make the last of the adjustments tonight, adding a little more room at the top. It will be ready for pickup tomorrow, late morning.”
“Wonderful!” Livie still could not believe that she would be a married woman in five days’ time.
Livie returned to the small dressing room, changing quickly into her day dress. Once she was out, she returned the gown to Madame Beaumont with promises that either she or Abigail would pick it up tomorrow.
The ladies exited the store, excitedly chatting with each other. The sun was setting on the busy London street, shops closing for the day. Livie walked behind her companions, her thoughts on her upcoming wedding.
It was really happening.
Someone bumped into her, officially taking her mind off of her pending nuptials. Before she could stumble, a pair of strong arms secured her. Her mind quickly registered danger, her skin crawling from the touch of the unknown person. She looked up and into the cold eyes of Baron Bromswell.
“E-excuse me,” she stammered, pressing her hands against his chest and pushing him away.
“Lady Olivia, what a surprise running into you.” The baron’s voice was devoid of any emotion.
“Yes, you as well. Goodbye—”
Before she could leave, he took her by the arm and pulled her forcefully toward him. Her mind immediately went back to the Ratchford’s ball. It was the last time she had been this close to him.
“Congratulations on your engagement. How does it feel being a pawn in his game?”
Livie snatched her arm away from him. “What are you talking about? I’m not a pawn in anyone’s game.” She raised her head high, refusing to be intimidated by the man.
“Oh but you are, and soon everyone will know. You should’ve chosen me when you had the chance.” His voice was cruel and condescending, causing a feeling of trepidation to run through her.
Livie ignored his comment. “I was never going to choose you.” She turned to catch up with the others.
“Is everything all right here?” Mother Di asked, walking toward Bromswell.
Livie nodded her head, trying to plaster a reassuring smile on her face. “Everything is fine. The baron was just offering his congratulations.”
“Indeed, I was just telling Lady Olivia how happy I am for her and Karrington.” The baron bowed his head before he gave Livie one last sinister look and walked away.
She watched him leave, so relieved the vile man was no longer near her. His words made her uneasy, but she did not want to give him any power over her and Remington.
“Are you sure you’re all right?” Mother Di asked again, rubbing Livie’s arm in a motherly fashion.
“Yes, it was nothing.” Livie forced a smile as they returned to the carriage.
Remington sat in the corner of O’Brien’s surrounded by a few select gentlemen who he’d called friends over the years. Although he wasn’t as inebriated as his companions, he did find himself leaning slightly. He was sure other men would have at least ten to fifteen close acquaintances but looking around at their very intoxicated faces gave him a sense of pride. He trusted each and every one of them, and was glad they were celebrating with him.
He took a sip of O’Brien’s finest Irish whiskey, which the older man had opened especially for this occasion. Remington replayed the night at Talbert Abbey in his head, the taste of Livie’s sweet nectar on his tongue, the sounds she made as he pleasured her. He ran his hands over his face trying to hide that he now had a growing problem beneath the wooden table. At this rate, he didn’t think he would ever let Livie out of their bed once she was his wife.
“What are you thinking about so hard?” Hempstead asked him loudly, causing Remington to cough.
He could feel heat spread over his face as it did when he was a boy and Mother Di discovered he had done something wrong. He tried to hide the fact that he was having impure thoughts about the man’s only daughter.
“Thinking about the travel arrangements for the wedding trip. So much to do.” Remington cleared his throat several times, avoiding eye contact with Hempstead.
No doubt, a father did not wish to think about his daughter’s honeymoon, even if he was friendly with the groom.
“Aye! Where are you going for this trip?” O’Brien yelled out drunkenly, his green eyes clouded.
“To our country house in Essex, Talbert Abbey.” A slight smile played on the edges of Remington’s lips at the word our.
He would forever be part of an our, or a we. The thought pleased him, giving him that damn happy, blissful feeling again, the one that had been building since he first saw her across the ballroom.
“Fine idea to get away from the city. A newly married couple needs time to explore each other.” O’Brien moved his brows up and down suggestively, causing Hempstead to look as if he was going to be sick.
“O’Brien, try to remember that’s my daughter you’re speaking of.” The earl’s voice was strained as he took a sip of his whiskey.
“Aye, that’s why you should only have boys.” O’Brien laughed loudly before sobering slightly. “But I have two girls myself, so I know the feeling.”
“I’m glad she’s going to be happy. I couldn’t have picked out a better gentleman out myself!” Hempstead raised his glass, and the other men followed suit.
“I personally never thought the day would come!” Windchester slapped Remington on the back.
Heartford stood, raising his glass, making a grand show of it. “I’d like to toast farewell to the Bachelor Duke!” He flourished his hand in Remington’s direction, ignoring the scowl on his friend’s face. “May we never see the likes of you again!”
“Hear! Hear!” A drunken Prescott banged on the table, causing the other occupants to look at the rowdy group of men.
Remington shook his head, smiling happily. “Thank you. I can assure you, I will never again be the Bachelor Duke. Livie is it for me.”
“And that, my friends, is a man in love!” O’Brien shouted cheerfully.
Remington blinked several times as his companions continued to chat around him. The revelation had been slowly building inside of him since Essex. He remembered thinking that his mother would love Livie as much as he did. It came to him as easily as breathing—he loved Livie.
The thought hit him like a ton of bricks falling from a building. He was in love with Livie. He loved her most passionately, heart, body, and soul. Dear God, he loved her more than he loved anyone or anything in the world.
He wanted to shout it from the rooftop, tell everyone he loved her and that she was going to be his wife.
But first, he needed to declare his love to her.
Before he could make a decision about rushing to her and declaring his love, a footman rushed over to Heartford, whispering furiously in his ear. Remington watched as his friend turned an odd greenish color before he stood abruptly, swaying slightly from inebriation.
“I must go, Amelia needs me!” he shouted and then turned to Remington. “Karrington, would you mind accompanying me? I feel we may need your assistance.”
“I’m coming too!” Windchester shocked them both by standing.
Remington bid the other gentlemen a good evening, barely standing on his own two feet, and followed his friends out into the darkening night. His carriage was readily available, so the three men hurried inside once Heartford informed the driver of their destination.
“What is happening?” Remington pressed his hand to his head to stop it from spinning.
“The current Viscount Evers is throwing Amelia and her child out of her townhouse.” Heartford’s voice shook with rage.
“In the middle of the night?” Remington asked, horrified that Lady Evers was being treated as such.
“Can he do that?” Wind
chester vibrated from his seat, his anger barely controlled.
Remington looked at his friend’s balled-up fist and rigid demeanor. He found it strange that Windchester was so upset over Lady Evers’s situation.
“I’m afraid he can. The townhome is entailed to the estate.” Heartford looked out the small window as the carriage slowed to a stop. “Bloody hell!” he called out before practically jumping out of the moving carriage.
Once the carriage was fully stopped, Remington disembarked to find an enraged Lady Evers arguing with Viscount Evers. Her maid held a tiny bundle in her arms, as gowns and baby clothing were being thrown from the house.
In his opinion, it was outrageous to treat a lady in such a way, especially in the middle of the night. A small crowd was assembling, watching the spectacle.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Heartford grabbed Evers by his lapels.
Viscount Evers was the heir and only son to Amelia’s late husband and his first wife. Evers had been a grown man of thirty years when Amelia had married his father. “I’m putting that whore and her bastard out! She will no longer be associated with my family!” His cold eyes glared at Heartford, who was much thinner compared to his bulkier frame.
Windchester, who had exited the carriage behind Remington, rushed the two men, grabbing Evers by the shoulders and turning him around. “How dare you!” he yelled before he punched the man in the jaw.
Sensing that the situation was indeed getting out of hand, Remington took hold of Windchester, pulling him off the other man. “Control yourself!” He turned to Evers. “There must be something that can be done without you making such a spectacle. Surely, as your father’s widow, she deserves some respect.”
Viscount Evers wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “There isn’t. For years I have turned a blind eye to the whispers surrounding her, but now they are affecting my own life.” He faced Lady Evers. “Get out. And effective immediately, your accounts are frozen.”
“You bastard! You can’t do that! There is a marriage contract! I earned every penny of that money, after being married to your father.” Amelia tried to rush after him, intent on harming him, but Heartford took hold of her. “I will appeal in the court of Chancery.”
“Well, until then, they are frozen!” Viscount Evers’ voice was shrill, and spittle spewed out of his mouth.
The crowd was growing larger. “Heartford, please get Lady Evers and the baby in the carriage while Windchester and I grab her things. I’m assuming she can’t go to your home because of your mother?” Heartford nodded in agreement. “Go to my townhome, we will follow behind you in a hackney.”
“Aren’t you quite the savior, Karrington? Perhaps the bastard is yours after all,” Viscount Evers sneered.
Remington walked over to the man, not saying a word. The viscount took a step back in fear. “Unlike you, I know how to treat a lady, which does not include throwing her out on the street like trash.”
“She can come in the morning and get the rest of her things.” Viscount Evers quickly walked away from Remington, rushing into the townhome and slamming the door behind him. Remington and Windchester stayed and gathered the remainder of Lady Evers’s belongings from the street.
Once everything was piled inside a hackney, Remington eyed his friend closely, noticing how upset the man was over this situation. “Are you going to tell me why you are so concerned for Lady Evers?”
Windchester bowed his head, avoiding his friend’s gaze. “I do not wish to burden you. You are to be married; we should be celebrating.”
Remington sighed. “Are you the child’s father?”
“Yes … But I had no idea Emily even existed until Amelia returned from France. She refused to let me see her. Every time I tried to visit, she refused me. We didn’t part well last Season.” Windchester pulled at his hair, grimacing in pain.
“When you married Lady Windchester?” Remington sat forward, peering at his friend’s tormented face.
“I would’ve married Amelia, but she refused me over and over, saying I was only marrying her for her fortune, which would have ceased once she was remarried.” He bowed his head. “I couldn’t do that to her. I had nothing to offer.”
“Yes, but that did not stop you from getting her with child. My God, man! Do you ever use your brain?” Remington asked as the carriage stopped. “You will tell Heartford today.” He pointed to Windchester, knowing that their friend will be upset.
“I will tell him, and I will tell my wife. I love Amelia and Emily, and I want to be with them.” Windchester hung his head.
Once they were out of the hackney, Remington’s servants helped bring Lady Evers’ things into his house. Remington walked in to find a flustered Dayton.
“Sir, this is most improper, especially since the new duchess will arrive in a matter of days,” the butler whispered hurriedly.
“I’m aware. However, it is getting darker by the second, and you wouldn’t have me put the lady and her child out on the street, would you?” Remington challenged.
“Of course not, sir, but please think of what a rumor of this magnitude can do to your reputation, and that of your future wife,” Dayton said seriously, looking at his employer.
Remington nodded in agreement. “Please make sure none of the servants say a thing.” He began walking away and then turned. “Send in tea, and coffee for me. I need to sober up.”
He entered the parlor, watching as Heartford paced back and forth. Lady Evers’ maid sat in the corner crying with the child in her arms. The baby was now awake, sitting up alert and focused.
Lady Evers stood, smoothing out her skirts. “Karrington, thank you, but I can’t bother you with my problems. I will find us lodgings for tonight and get out of your way.”
“Amelia, you and Emily have no place to go. Please stay here until I can figure something out,” Windchester said, rushing over to her.
Heartford stopped his pacing, turning to watch his friend and his sister. “What are you talking about?” Windchester took hold of Lady Evers’s hand. Realization dawned on Heartford’s face. “Are you saying you’re the child’s father? And you kept it from me?” Heartford walked over and shoved his friend, anger taking over his countenance.
“Yes, I am Emily’s father, and I love your sister.” Windchester stood his ground.
Lady Evers lifted her arms, her fists balled in anger. “Ha! Love? What do you know about love, William? You don’t love anyone or anything but money. You proved that last Season when you married that harlot of a wife.” She crossed her arms over her heaving chest, glaring at Windchester.
“I know I failed you, but it doesn’t change that I love you and our child. Let me spend my life making it up to you.” Windchester tried to walk over to her, but Heartford pushed him away.
“You lied to me an entire year, and now you think you can just say you love her and forget about your wife?” Heartford pushed him forcibly, causing the larger man to stumble.
“What we need to figure out right now is where Lady Evers and little Emily are going to stay tonight. There’s no point in fighting amongst ourselves.” Remington stood in between his friends, looking back and forth at them.
“My mother is at my townhome, but to hell with her.” Heartford’s hair was a mess, his eyes filled with fire.
“No, I won’t stay with that woman. She’s hated me since I was born. I’m sure I can find us lodging for the night.” Lady Evers walked over and took the baby from the maid’s arms.
“You will stay here tonight. In the morning, the three of us will find you and little Emily suitable accommodations.” Remington’s voice was final.
“I can’t ask you to do that. Lady Olivia was kind to me … kinder than anyone has been in a long time. I don’t want to cause her pain, and staying here will only cause tongues to wag.” Lady Evers took a seat, rocking the child back and forth. Her voice was full of sadness.
“I will explain everything to Livie, and she will understand. For
now, I must insist you stay here.” Remington walked to the door calling in his butler. “Please have the guest rooms prepared for Lady Evers and her maid.”
Dayton’s eyes widened. “Yes, sir.”
Remington turned to face Heartford. “I think it’s best if you stay tonight as well.”
“Yes, I think so. That way, if there are any questions of propriety at least it could be mentioned that I was present.” Heartford turned to Windchester. “I think you should leave. You’ve done enough.”
“I’m not leaving until I speak with Amelia, and there is nothing you can do about it, Heartford. I love your sister; I made an egregious error, but I’m still your friend, and I want to make up the time I missed with my daughter.” Windchester walked over to Amelia, kneeling at her feet.
“I’m right here, so you two can stop speaking of me as if I’m not in the room.” Her green eyes turned to Windchester, cold and unfeeling. “If any of that is true, you know what you have to do. I will not play second to your wife any longer and neither will my daughter.” Amelia kissed the top of Emily’s head.
“I will.” Windchester stood and bent to kiss Emily’s downy head, while Lady Evers ignored him.
Once Windchester had left, Heartford turned his cold gaze to Remington; he didn’t look like himself at all. There were no signs of the jovial man Remington knew his entire life. “Did you know?”
“No, but I surmised it on our way here. He seemed very much affected by the wrongdoings of Viscount Evers, even more so than you.” Remington walked to the sideboard to pour himself a drink.
“Karrington, do you mind if we retire for the evening? I’m afraid we have had a little too much excitement for one day.” Lady Evers smiled down at her daughter, running her fingers through her hair.
“Of course. Dayton will show you to your rooms.” Remington walked out to call for the butler, who readily showed himself. “Please make yourself at home. In the morning, Heartford and I will go and find you suitable accommodations.”
“Thank you, and please inform Lady Olivia that I’m sorry to be a burden.” Lady Evers gave him a small smile before she and her maid followed the butler out of the parlor.
