“You don’t have to convince me,” she said with a small, true smile. “I know.”
His heart seemed to sing, as ridiculous as that sounded to him, but at the moment, he had to put all of this aside.
“We need to get you warm,” he said, and then stood with her in his arms, and began the jaunt back to the inn.
“I’m too heavy,” she protested, but he shook his head, refusing to acknowledge her words. If there was ever a time that he needed strength, this was it. As they walked, she sank deeper into his arms, until he wondered if she was fast asleep or had possibly even lost consciousness. But no, thankfully, her eyes were still open and awake each time he looked down upon her, and though it seemed interminably long, eventually they did reach The Wild Rose Inn, though, of course, not without a great welcoming party. Marigold’s sisters and parents crowded around them but she waved them away. She assured them she was fine as Jacob quickly explained where he had found her. He realized, however, he actually had no idea how she had ended up within.
“Take her upstairs,” her mother said, hurrying up before him to point out which room was Marigold’s own, though of course Jacob was already aware of which room it was. Her sisters were soon busy preparing a hot bath, and eventually, Jacob knew that he must leave her to her mother and sisters, as difficult as it was to tear himself away.
“When you are feeling up to it,” he said with a quick kiss on her forehead that certainly did not go unnoticed by the other females in the room, “we have much to discuss.”
She gave him a slight nod in return before he departed, though not without one long glance behind him. Marigold looked so pale and drawn lying there on the bed, shivering, and yet as much as his heart ached as he stared upon her, he knew that it would be even worse were she not in his life at all.
17
Marigold had not cared where they were married — Southwold, London, or Cambridge, where Jacob’s estate was located. But Jacob himself decided that he wanted to be married posthaste — for multiple reasons, including the fact that Marigold would have nowhere to stay anywhere else but with Jacob. So they determined their earliest opportunity to do so would be at St. Edmond’s Church within Southwold, which suited Marigold just fine. It also overjoyed her mother, who had been in a state of despair when Daisy had been married away from home.
The wedding was small, but beautiful by Marigold’s standards, and when she walked down the aisle, it was with her father on one side and Clover trotting on the other.
Her father, as it happened, had asked her after the wedding whether Clover would be staying with them or leaving with Marigold. She had turned to him in some shock.
“I was under the impression that you were hoping Clover was taken in by another family.”
“Yes, well,” her father said, shifting uncomfortably from one foot to the other. “The dog has been much better behaved than I could have imagined.”
“I am pleased to hear you say so, Father,” Marigold said, but then smiled widely. “However, Clover will be coming with me — with us.”
Jacob had then approached and draped an arm around her, and her father had nodded, though when he turned away, Marigold couldn’t be sure there wasn’t a tear in his eye.
“I believe he may miss both his daughter and her dog,” Jacob said, his voice low in her ear, and Marigold nodded, understanding.
“He would never admit it,” she said.
“No,” Jacob said, shaking his head. “Though I likely wouldn’t myself, either.”
Marigold eyed him with a tender smile, knowing the truth to his words. He was certainly a different man today than he had been when he arrived at The Wild Rose Inn, and yet, as much as he had opened himself up to her, she knew there would always be a part of himself he held aloof from others — it was who he was, and nothing would ever change.
“Are you ready?” he asked now, to which Marigold nodded, though she took a deep breath. She was ready to begin a new life with him, though she wasn’t sure she would ever be ready to say farewell to her family. This was not goodbye, however, she reminded herself. Jacob’s estate was not far, and he promised they would spend as much time there as they could.
As Marigold hugged her sisters and parents goodbye, it was difficult to keep the tears from falling down her cheeks, though she managed to do so until they were riding down the road.
“Are you all right?” Jacob asked, holding her tightly against him, to which she nodded.
“Yes,” she said with a sniff. “I’ll miss them, but I cannot imagine life without you.”
He kissed her temple quickly. “Nor can I, love,” he said, his lips remaining against her hair. “Nor can I.”
* * *
Marigold could hardly believe the sight that awaited her a few hours later when they turned off the main road and up a drive.
“Jacob,” she said, swallowing hard. “Do not tell me this is your home.”
“Our home,” he said, an apprehensive look on his face as he gazed up at the Greek columns surrounding the entryway, the pyramid roof above it, and the wings extending from either side, with rows of sash windows. “It could never be home anymore, not if I don’t have you.”
Marigold nodded, not wanting to say anything that might overcome his hesitancy, but she found herself in a state of disbelief, as it were. She was supposed to live here? Why, The Wild Rose Inn could fit within this estate five times over.
The carriage had hardly come to a stop when the front door of the manor opened and out came bounding a pack of dogs — three of them, as it were, and Marigold suddenly forgot her worries about being the lady of such a manor and how she might become accustomed to living there, and instead ran out of the carriage, nearly as fast as Clover.
Clover barked excitedly as he joined the dogs, and soon the four of them were busy sniffing one another in greeting to determine whether they could get along.
Marigold clasped her hands in front of her, nervous for a moment, but it seemed the dogs approved, and soon the four of them were running together in circles — until, that is, the dogs saw Jacob. They paused for a moment, as though unsure, but as soon as he called to them, they came running, and Marigold’s heart melted at the huge smile she saw cross his face.
At last, he was coming home, accepting all that was and what the future might hold for them — all of them.
She slowly walked over, and when he held his arm out to her, she joined the joyful reunion, as content as the rest of them.
* * *
After what seemed like ages, following greeting servants, having dinner, and taking a dizzying tour of her new home, Marigold followed Jacob to what would be their bedchambers. He paused outside of one door, and Marigold knew instantly what the room within had been.
“This was Anna’s room, wasn’t it?” she asked softly, and he nodded.
“I’ll have the housekeeper see to it tomorrow,” he said. “We will ready it for you.”
“There is no rush,” Marigold replied, placing a hand on his arm. “Or, perhaps, we can find another chamber to suit.”
“I’d like you next to me.”
“Or…” she said, unsure of how to broach the subject or whether she even should, but he finished the sentence for her.
“Or perhaps you could just stay in my chamber — at least, for now?”
“That would be perfect,” she said, smiling up at him.
“Come, my lady,” he said, opening the next door. “I am pleased to welcome you.”
Marigold couldn’t help the frantic beating of her heart as they entered the room. Jacob’s bedroom was rather dark, with rich green curtains covering the windows, a patterned bedspread matching the canopy that rose above it while chairs and an armoire were situated near the hearth.
“You can add your own touch if you’d like,” he mumbled, and she nodded. That, she most certainly would. “But for now,” he said, reaching out a hand and trailing his fingers down her arm, setting her flesh afire, “There are other things I
would like to see to.”
“Oh?” she said, turning toward him, her lips curling into a hesitant smile, though she was equally anticipating what was to come. “And whatever might that be?”
“I am not a man of many words,” Jacob said. “But if you’ll allow me, I would be more than pleased to show you just exactly of what I speak.”
Seeing the flash of desire in his eyes as he looked down at her, Marigold couldn’t help the returning pull she had for him — a tremor that coursed through her body, overcoming any nerves she had about what was to come. When Jacob reached down and cupped her face in his strong, broad hands, his lips descending on hers, familiarity and safety enveloped her in a warmth that allowed her to feel at ease about it all. She sank into him, enjoying his embrace, but this time needing more from him. She raised her hands to the top button of his jacket and hesitantly began to remove it. He stepped back from her, his eyes now darkened, his hands roaming up and down her arms, her ribcage, as he no longer had any restraint.
“I will be gentle for you,” he said, his voice ragged, and she nodded. Soon her dress was pooled at her feet, and despite the fact that she should be chilled in just her chemise, warmth flooded through her, beginning at her very center and seemingly emanating out throughout her lips, to her fingertips and the ends of her toes.
Jacob effortlessly lifted her, reminding her of the day she had fallen into the well, and carried her to the bed, laying her upon it with the utmost care.
He spread himself over top of her, and soon there was nothing between him — they were skin upon skin, and he was exploring every inch of her with his fingers, his lips, his tongue, and Marigold had never before felt so loved nor so tenderly looked after.
As promised, Jacob could not have been more gentle, and when they finally came together, it was more magnificent than anything Marigold could ever have imagined. All that she had expected was magnified by his loving care, and when she cried out his name, his arms tightened around her, holding her close.
“Marigold,” he said afterward, stroking her hair away from her face, kissing her cheeks, her nose, her forehead, her lips. “I have no idea what I did to deserve you. You should have left me a thousand times over.”
“You are lucky, then, that I am patient,” she said with a bit of a laugh.
“Not long ago, I thought I was the unluckiest man who ever lived,” he said, clearing his throat. “But now… now everything has changed.”
Then, thankfully, he kissed her, for the tears began to descend, and Marigold couldn’t help but thank God all had ended as it should.
Epilogue
Marigold rocked back and forth in the chair in front of the hearth, patting her growing stomach. A baby. She could hardly believe she was going to be a mother. She had never known if the dream would come true for her.
“Not to worry, Clover,” she said to the dog, who had begun to look at her with more and more trepidation, as though he sensed change was afoot. “I will always have a special place for you in my heart.”
He seemed somewhat appeased, though he gave a slight grumble as he returned his head to resting on his paws, though the look he gave her seemed to be saying that he wasn’t entirely convinced.
Marigold laughed, then looked over to Jacob, who smiled back at her — a smile that was appearing more and more often these days, for which she was grateful.
“Will you play me something?” she asked, and he nodded, always happy to oblige when she asked. He rose and strode over to the pianoforte, taking a seat behind it. As he lifted his hands to the keyboard, a knock came on the door, and the butler arrived with a tray bearing a letter, which he brought over to Marigold. She smiled warmly at him, especially when she recognized her sister’s writing.
“What is it?” Jacob asked without turning around.
“A letter from Iris.”
“Ah, that always proves to be interesting,” he said, and Marigold couldn’t help but chuckle slightly. She closed her eyes as Jacob started to play, his beautiful music washing over her, but then her curiosity overcame any other emotion, and she opened the letter with the opener the butler had provided. Marigold didn’t think she would ever become completely accustomed to having someone do such tasks for her, but she and the staff were finding their way, in terms of with what she would accept help and what she preferred to do for herself.
Jacob began to sing, his rich baritone perfect in the music room — she could hardly believe she had a room designated solely to music — and she was distracted for a moment before she returned to her task at hand.
Marigold,
I hope all is well with you. I do miss you, so very much, you must know that. If you can believe it, Father has hired one additional servant. I suppose he had no choice, but it is working out well, I am happy to say.
I am pleased to hear that the woods beyond Jacob’s home more than suit your needs. I’m sure you will find the odd little injured creature upon which you can pour out your affections.
Oh, Marigold, I must implore you to come to visit soon. I have a matter that requires urgent attention, and I have no idea what to do. I cannot ask Violet, but I feel that you or Daisy will know far better how I am able to address such an issue. Please tell me you are visiting soon? Otherwise, I shall have to send another letter, and it would be so much easier to speak with you in person.
Love always,
Iris
“What is it?” Jacob asked as he came to the end of his tune.
“Oh, Iris,” Marigold replied, a smile on her lips as she thought of her sister. “She is being as dramatic as always, though I wonder if she really does need the help she seeks.”
She read the letter to Jacob, who paused thoughtfully. He and Iris had not yet completely come to understand each other, but he seemed contemplative.
“Southwold isn’t far. We can spare a day to visit, by all means.”
“Truly?” Marigold asked, her spirit igniting at the thought. She hadn’t realized just how much she had been longing to return home.
“It has been some time,” Jacob said. “And you must know, Marigold, that we can return whenever you so choose.”
“I would love to do so,” she said softly. “I have to admit, I am rather curious as to what would cause Iris such hysterics.”
“Perhaps she just misses you,” he said, though Marigold smiled and shook her head.
“Perhaps. But I’m sure there is something more.”
“Marigold,” Jacob said, his face turning much more serious. “Are you happy here, with me? I know being away from your family is hard, but—”
“But nothing could ever be harder than being away from you,” she said to finish his sentence, and the lines on his face eased at her words. She leaned in and kissed him softly on the lips.
“I love my family, I do,” she said. “But we have a family of our own now. Those of us here,” she looked around the room at the four dogs before returning her gaze to Jacob. “And the rest that will come soon.”
At that, his strong hands cupped her head, his fingers twining into her hair, and he kissed her with a promise of all that he had to offer her, and all that was to come between them.
* * *
THE END
* * *
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About the Author
Ellie has always loved reading, writing, and history. For many years she has written short stories, non-fiction, and has worked on her true love and passion -- romance novels.
In every era there is the chance for romance, and Ellie enjoys exploring many different time periods, cultures, and geographic locations. No matter when or where, love can always prevail. She has a particular soft spot for the bad boys of history, and l
oves a strong heroine in her stories.
The lake is Ellie’s happy place, and when she’s not writing, she is spending time with her sons, her Husky/Border Collie cross, and her own dashing duke. She loves reading — of course — as well as running, biking, and summers at the lake.
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Also by Ellie St. Clair
Standalone
Unmasking a Duke
Christmastide with His Countess
Happily Ever After
The Duke She Wished For
Someday Her Duke Will Come
Once Upon a Duke’s Dream
He’s a Duke, But I Love Him
Loved by the Viscount
Because the Earl Loved Me
Searching Hearts
Duke of Christmas
Quest of Honor
Clue of Affection
Hearts of Trust
Hope of Romance
Promise of Redemption
Searching Hearts Box Set (Books 1-5)
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A Marquess for Marigold: The Blooming Brides Book 2 Page 11
