He wasn't smart like Wesley, and he wasn't a good leader, like Harold. He wasn't strong, like Annabelle, moving a mile a minute, or like Shauna, who had endured so much.
“Nurse,” he called out, frustrated at his broken voice. “Nurse!”
While Lola was getting things set up on her end, he needed to put his plan in motion here.
CHAPTER TWENTY
SHOCK
SHOCK
“Well, Earl Rippon,” Harold reached to shake his hand half a minute before they were called into the board room a second time. “Best of luck to you. And congratulations again.”
“I will celebrate if we walk out of here,” Wesley replied, nervousness plaguing him.
“You will walk out of here,” Harold replied, his teeth gritted. “No matter what.”
“You do not know that,” Wesley said. “You don't know what will be said in there. Lady Bamber told me that Morin and Doren were called in. That is a mark against us, if I ever heard them.”
“They are reasonable people,” Harold said. “The captain---”
“Sir---” Wesley looked him right in the eye. “No one is going to hold it against the captain for having a broken Irish midshipman beaten and a few men go without dinner. Certainly not to the extent of what's happened.”
“Sirs,” Peckard stuck his head out of the room. “You are welcome to come in. We have called your remaining crew in to the gallery, so pass through the board room and into the court room.”
“The court room?” Harold gulped.
“On the stand, if you please, Mr. Harper,” Peckard didn't meet his eyes, and Harold knew this was it.
He had to confess. He had to spit out the words he didn't want to say, to save those dearest to him.
He hadn't expected those dearest to him to be sitting in the court room as well. Shauna, Annabelle, and Lola were on the side with Matheson and Corrigan. The numbers that had showed up made him realize just how small their crew had become. So many had died in that attack, not just Willcock.
What had he done?
Doren and Morin were on the other side, and they looked smug. Harold knew exactly what they had done, and he wanted to break their faces.
However, he remained strong and dignified, his chin high as the gavel was hit down and the court room called into session. They were no longer having a discussion with their peers. They were being sentenced, that much was clear.
The question remained, though, what were they being sentenced with.
“Mr. Harper, Earl Rippon,” Captain Adams started. “Thank you for joining us. We have reviewed your reports, and listened to the accounts of your shipmates. We have heard the doctor's testimony and the beginning results of the autopsy. It does not give me pleasure, sirs, to conclude that there is no other conclusion we can come to but the one that Captain Willcock, in the last days of his life, was pushed into that hold.”
Harold felt his heart drop into his stomach.
“So the question is--” Adams looked right at them.
Harold saw Wesley's mouth open, and he knew what he was about to do. He was about to cut him before he spoke, when suddenly, the court room doors were pushed open.
Everyone turned around, and then gasped.
There, standing at the door way, was Aaron. He looked horrible, his face pale, and his nose tinged with blood. When he spoke, Harold could see the blood edging his lips.
“I alone pushed the captain,” Aaron said, as soon as the room was silent. “I alone pushed Captain Willcock to his death. I alone am responsible for his death.”
There were gasps and screams of shock. The ladies were beside themselves. Harold wished he could turn back time.
This was how it was going to end. Aaron's false confession, which no one would reasonably believe, but they had to accept, was stated in the air.
Harold looked eyes with his best friend, his head light. This situation couldn't get any worse.
Except, it did.
Aaron only managed to stand another second or two before he pitched forward. Harold moved quickly, but he was stopped by the bailiff.
“He's going to---” Harold screamed, prepared for a violent fit.
It didn't lead to a fit, however. To his horror, his best friend's body lay motionless on the floor.
Two men rushed in, wearing the identifiable uniform of army medics. The crowd was in panic, but no one could get to him.
One man checked his pulse, and the other put a hand in front of his mouth. Finally, they looked up.
“He is dead.”
The announcement brought stunned silence into the room. For a moment, no one said a word. No one could process what just happened.
Then Shauna let out the most agonizing cry anyone had ever heard, collapsing into Annabelle.
The military doctors covered his face with one their jackets, and lifted him up. The body was limp and they were quick to move it out of the court room.
There were sobs, and gasps. Harold sat down on the chair provided, feeling like the life had been sucked out of him. He met eyes with Annabelle, who looked like she wanted to die.
Finally, he turned to Captain Peckard, fighting back tears.
“Sir?” he asked, feeling his voice break.
“Case...dismissed,” Peckard said, his voice flat. The gate opened, and Harold was free.
He went to Annabelle, wrapping her in his arms.
“No, no, no,” Annabelle said. “No, this can't be. This can't be. Not like this, not like this. I need to see him. I need to see him.”
“He was just here,” Shauna echoed, equally as stunned. “How can you be here and then gone? No, this isn't possible.”
“This isn't possible, and yet it has happened,” Harold said, so in shock he could barely speak.
“Why?” Wesley caught his arm, his hero's death hitting him hard. “Why would he do that?”
Harold took a deep breath, although it did nothing for the tears.
“Lord Bamber...is a very brave man,” he said. “He knew his duty and he did it. And we will forever be in his debt.”
“Yes,” Wesley agreed. “But I can't believe it.”
“Let's not stay here,” Lola urged them. “Please, let's not stay here. I can't go anywhere, I am reminded of him. My best friend. Please, will you all come with me?”
She was tugging at arms, she was pulling at jackets. She seemed to be going crazy, and everyone was too grief stricken to argue. It was hard to think with the chaos around them, and the fact that everyone was just as much in shock. No one was strong; no one was in their right minds. Lola was begging, hysterical, and it wasn't long before they all found themselves standing outside.
“We should see him...” Annabelle said, but Lola howled at her.
“I just need a moment. Please, let's walk, please.”
No one was going to deny this girl, who seemed much more grief stricken than his wife or his sister. Lola was lost in her grief, her eyes dead. Therefore, they did as she asked, for fear that she might be the next one to drop from it.
She led the way, down twisting side roads, down an alley, and up a main street.
It took everyone a moment to realize they were standing outside of the theater. Lola didn't even pause, throwing herself against the stage door. It popped open and she moved forward.
“Has she lost her mind?” Harold said, as he went after her. “Lola, where are you going? Lola?”
She led them down the long flight of stairs into the basement of the theater, and others were soon wondering the same question. She was wandering almost aimlessly, and her cries had quieted down. It was now as if she was searching for something.
At the end of the hallway, she stopped in front of the final door. She turned back to them, and to Harold's horror, there was almost a smile on her face.
“Lola...?” he asked. “Are you alright?”
“No one has ever had issues with their heart, have they?” she asked. There was stunned silence in response. “Fainting spells?
Chest pains?”
“Lola...” Wesley moved forward. “What are you on about? Have you lost your mind?”
“You'll probably ask me that afterwards,” she replied. “And I'm sorry. But it was the only way.”
“What was the only way?”
“This was the only way,” she said, and pushed the door open.
There, in the center of the room, stretched out on a prop couch that probably hadn't seen the light of day for months, was Aaron, alive, breathing, and smiling.
No one moved.
“It had to be believable,” Lola said, softly. “Not one of you could give it away. If you did, all three of you would be in prison, or worse.”
She had expected many reactions. She expected anger, silence, and laughter. She didn't expect tears, especially from Harold.
However, when Aaron stood up, stronger than he had been in days, his blue eyes on fire as usual, and moved forward, Harold choked.
“I'm sorry,” Aaron said, embracing his best friend. “I would have gone to the noose for you if I needed to. But then Lola came up with this plan and...”
“You loyal, mad...” Harold started. “Aaron...”
“You'd do the same for me, if you were in my place,” Aaron replied, softly.
The spell was broken, and the tears came from the rest of them. Shauna grabbed onto his waist, and Annabelle put a hand on his shoulder, ever so grateful, Matheson punched his other one, and Corrigan remained in shock.
“Are you alright?” Lola asked Wesley, touching his arm gently. He turned to her, his face stunned.
“What is he going to do now?” he asked.
“He's dead,” Lola said. “Which means a lot of things need to change. There's a plan but it doesn't...involve being Lord Bamber, or living on land.”
“When did you plan this?” Annabelle finally managed.
“Yesterday,” Lola answered. “The military doctors are actors too. We didn't have much time to plan it, so I was worried...”
“Worried and then you had to pull off the performance of a century!” Aaron teased her. “I heard you wailing as they carried me down the hallway.”
Lola took a mock bow, winking at him.
“So what now?” Harold asked.
“Now, you marry my sister,” Aaron said. “You will be Lord Bamber, since there is no one else. I do have one condition though, and that is that you take care of my family. Shauna and Gwendolyn continue living in the manor, and are afforded all the luxuries.”
“Where are you going?” Shauna asked. He turned back to her. “Don't misunderstand me, Aaron. I understand duty. I understand that someone had to die today, and fortunately for us, no one will swing from the noose. I would not ask you to give that up. But...”
“Well, I thought...” Aaron said. “I could go back to the sea. Under my own terms.”
“What does that even mean?” Shauna asked, confused. “The Navy...”
“Not under the Navy...” he said.
A silence filled the air.
“Aaron, are you out of your mind?” Harold said. “You can't turn pirate. You...”
“Can't I?” Aaron grinned. “My own terms, my own ship. I certainly have the money to build it. I won't betray this country or the King. But no man on my ship will be one I feel like I have to hide from. My life can be different, Harold, if I'm not constantly hiding everything...ironically.”
“Except for the fact that you are hiding from the world now,” Harold pointed out.
“No,” Aaron replied. “This had to be done and everyone in this room knows it, even if they don't like it. The next step is to hold a wedding and a funeral. Maybe even in that order.”
Annabelle choked.
“You want us to get married now?”
“Secure the title, sister,” Aaron's eyes glinted. “Isn't that what father always taught us?”
“Yes, but---”
“No,” he said. “You're the older one anyways; it should have always been you. Just because my gender afforded me a leg up doesn't mean it's correct. So---” he turned to Harold. “Are you ready?”
“Yes,” Harold answered, turning to Annabelle. “From the moment I saw her.”
“Then,” Annabelle replied, softly. “Let's get married.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
WEDDING
WEDDING
“Oh, Annabelle,” Lola said, when she came to the door. She had been on tour, and had not seen the dress Annabelle picked out. She had been told of its stunning beauty, but she hadn't been prepared for the beauty in her sight line.
Tiers and tiers of antique lace covered the skirt. Annabelle had lace sleeves that stretched to her finger tips. Her hair was up in a braided bun, with jewels decorating in. Her veil was cathedral length, and her neck sparkled with sapphires.
“You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen,” she gasped, as she went to hug her. “I am so honored to be your matron of honor.”
“It was almost maid of honor,” Annabelle teased her. “Aren't you lucky I didn't have programs written up with that title?”
Lola smiled, and then turned to Gwendolyn. As the flower girl, she had a beautiful dress as well, in a pale blue that matched her eyes.
“And you, Gwendolyn? Are you excited?”
“I am excited,” Gwendolyn answered. “My aunt is getting married. Although I wish that...my daddy could be here.”
She shifted a sideways glance to Shauna, who tried to stifle a laugh. Gwendolyn was trying very hard to play the part they had given her, but she was a bit young to have it be believable.
“Come on, Gwendolyn,” Shauna held out her hand. “Let's go and take our places at the front.”
“Are you ready, Miss?” In absence of their father, it was Matheson who was going to be walking Annabelle down the aisle. He had been immensely proud of even being asked, and now looked sharp in his dress blues. He was well groomed, and held out his arm.
“I think so,” Annabelle replied. “Is ...everyone...in place?”
“Aye,” Matheson's eyes twinkled “Everyone is in place.”
He was referring of course, to Aaron hidden up in the balcony, proud as a peacock to see his sister marry his best friend. Although he couldn't be best man, he wasn't going to miss this ceremony for the world.
“Then let's go,” Annabelle replied, and reached out for Matheson's arm. Lola scampered ahead of them, getting into line behind Shauna and Gwendolyn. It seemed surreal, after all this time, that Annabelle's wedding to Harold was finally happening.
When it was Annabelle's turn and the doors were pulled open a bit more, she felt a flutter in her heart at seeing Harold at the end of the aisle. She had been nervous, especially given how close her wedding was to her brother's death. However, everyone seemed to be able to put their sadness aside for a moment, to smile at the beautiful bride as she took her future husband's hands. The priest cleared his throat, and everyone sat, as he began reading the words that he had said a hundred times.
“Dearly beloved, we have come together in the presence of God to witness and bless the joining together of this man and this woman in Holy Matrimony. The bond and covenant of marriage was established by God in creation, and our Lord Jesus Christ adorned this manner of life by His presence and first miracle at the wedding in Cana of Galilee. It signifies to us the mystery of the union between Christ and His Church, and Holy Scripture commands it to be honored among all people. The union of husband and wife is intended by God for their mutual joy, for the help and comfort given each other in prosperity and adversity, and, when it is God's will, for the procreation of children and their nurture in the knowledge and love of the Lord. Therefore marriage is not to be entered into unadvisedly or lightly, but reverently, deliberately, and in accordance with the purposes for which it was instituted by God.”
Annabelle squeezed Harold’s hands, a smile on her face. This wedding had been years in the making, and it wasn't exactly under the circumstances she had pictured it. She could feel her
twin's supportive eyes on her, and she could feel Harold’s happiness radiate from his smile. They were finally getting married.
“Into this union Annabelle and Harold now come to be joined. If any of you can show just cause why they may not be lawfully wed, speak now, or else forever hold your peace.”
Of course, no one said a word. The entire congregation had been waiting for years for this wedding. The town had watched, with fondness, as the young sailor had courted the young Mistress of the house, always side by side with the young Lord. They had grown up together, their love growing as their minds and bodies had.
“I charge you both, here in the presence of God and the witness of this company, that if either of you know any reason why you may not be married lawfully and in accordance with God's Word, do now confess it.”
“No,” Annabelle said, quietly. She wasn't normally quiet, but the emotion was flooding through her. "There is absolutely no reason why we should not be married."
“No,” Harold echoed. "There is absolutely no reason why we shouldn't be married."
“Annabelle,” the priest turned to her. They hadn't had time for much of a rehearsal, given the circumstances. She was glad that the lines were being fed to her, for she would have been too nervous to memorize anything.
“Will you have this man to be your husband, to live together with him in the covenant of marriage? Will you love him, comfort him, honor and keep him, in sickness and in health, and, forsaking all others, be faithful unto him as long as you both shall live?”
“I do,” Annabelle responded, looking right into Harold's eyes. She had dreamed of this moment for so long. Now, it seemed more than a dream come true. Aaron would have to remain hidden, yes, but Harold was going to stay home, and be by her side morning and night. She had gotten so used to a life without him that she could hardly imagine such a beautiful future. The idea that she would never have to miss him again set her heart a flutter. There would be no more sad goodbyes, no more mournful afternoons staring at the harbor and hoping. He was here, with her, forever.
Saving The Lord’s Title (The Regency Renegades - Beauty and Titles) (A Regency Romance Story) Page 14
