by Darcy Burke
The maid nodded and came forward, but Fanny pulled at David’s coat. “I’m not leaving without you.”
“Of course not,” David said. “Just give me one moment.” He squeezed her hand before giving her back to the maid and spinning around to address Fanny’s family.
“You’ll have nothing to do with Fanny from here on,” he said, his gaze roving over the three men as well as her mother. “You’ve behaved abominably where it comes to her and her sister. Fanny has done nothing to warrant your treatment except fall in love with me. I love her beyond words, and I would hope that would be enough to satisfy you.”
He spun on his heel and walked down the path, joining Fanny on the way toward the coaches.
She tucked her arm over his. “Thank you. I can see that took considerable restraint. I didn’t realize you were a violent person.”
“Typically, I am not. However, if you want to see me enraged, you need only strike my beloved.” He looked down at her with fierce devotion. “Your father was right about one thing—I’d commit murder to protect you.”
“I’m beginning to see how love can make someone do terrible things,” she said quietly as they reached the street. “Perhaps my great-uncle did kidnap your aunt.”
Though that was what David had heard and believed for so long, he wasn’t entirely sure it was true. What if there had been a letter? Why would Snowden lie about such a thing?
Because he was a nasty prick. That much David did believe.
They crossed the street to Fanny’s coach, where her coachman rushed to open the door. David took her hand to help her up inside. “I plan to conduct an investigation when I return to Huntwell. No matter what we find, Fanny, we will still be married. We can still be happy.”
She didn’t quite smile, but her gaze was warm with love as she looked up at him. “I know we can. From the moment we met, I felt as though we were meant to be together. With whatever happened between our families in the past, perhaps it’s Fate’s way of making things right again.”
“What a lovely sentiment.” David glanced back toward the congregation, which included Fanny’s parents, still gathered on the path. How had such a kind and wonderful woman come from such horrid people?
Fanny turned to Barker. “I’d like to ride with David for a while. Can you please ride in his coach?”
The maid blinked in surprise but nodded. “I shouldn’t, but I know you’re shaken.”
“Thank you.”
David helped Fanny into the coach and climbed in beside her. She removed her bonnet and tossed it on the opposite seat. He drew her tight against him, pressing a kiss to her forehead. “This is rather scandalous.”
“No more so than fighting with my father in a churchyard on my brother’s wedding day.”
David would have laughed if his anger wasn’t still so close to the surface. “Try to put it from your mind.”
“I’m afraid it will be a long time before I can do that.” She fell quiet, her head resting on his shoulder.
David’s anger gradually receded into a hopeless despair. The Snowdens’ reactions and behavior had been appalling enough. What could he expect from his own family?
He was almost afraid to find out.
Chapter 14
The five-day journey south started tense and gradually became relaxed, for which Fanny was extremely grateful. She wished the scene in Pickering had never happened, but didn’t blame David at all. She’d put herself in his position and knew that if someone had hit him, she’d want to hurt that person too.
Love, she decided, was an all-encompassing and fiercely primal emotion.
As the coach pulled into the drive at Stour’s Edge, Fanny looked over at David. “I’m glad you decided to come straight here instead of going home first.”
They’d all but cast propriety to the wind during the trip, though Barker had tried to play the role of overprotective chaperone. After a few days, she’d surrendered and had taken to riding in David’s coach by herself so that Fanny and David were alone—at least during the day. She’d insisted on sleeping in Fanny’s room at night, but Fanny had been able to sneak away on two separate nights. If Barker was aware of her leaving, she had decided not to say so.
The coach rumbled to a stop in front of the house, and the footman rushed to open the door. He helped Fanny down, and her legs both protested the movement and appreciated the ability to stretch.
When David descended, Fanny took his arm, and they walked together into the house, the door held open by the butler, Munro. “I’ve sent a footman to summon Her Grace,” he said. “Would you care to wait in the library?”
“Yes, thank you,” Fanny said, guiding David into the massive room adorned with elaborately carved wood and an impressive collection of books the likes of which Fanny had never seen before coming to Stour’s Edge. She took her arm from David’s.
“This is quite a library,” he said, wandering toward a bookshelf.
“It’s where I came to learn about birds after meeting you. I’ve grouped all the ornithology texts over in that corner.” She gestured toward the cozy nook where she’d also moved her favorite chair.
“You’re home!” Ivy swept into the room and immediately embraced Fanny in a tight hug—as tight as her rather large belly would allow. She apologized for prodding Fanny with it. “I’m so much bigger than I was with Leah. West is convinced this one’s a boy.” She frowned at Fanny. “What happened to your face?”
Fanny lifted a hand to her cheek. It had bruised where her father had struck her, but the discoloration had faded to a faint yellow. It was, however, still noticeable. “Oh, it’s nothing.”
Ivy didn’t look convinced as she glanced over her shoulder at her husband, who’d followed her into the library.
He welcomed Fanny, then his gaze traveled to David, who’d moved to stand just behind her. “You’ve brought a guest, I see.”
David reached forward to shake West’s hand, then bowed to Ivy. “I’ve come to ask your permission to marry Fanny.”
“My permission?” Ivy asked.
David looked toward West. “And yours. It seemed most appropriate.”
Ivy frowned then looked to Fanny. “What happened with Mother and Father?”
Fanny looked at her sister sadly. “It was an absolute disaster.”
“Let us sit,” West said. “Or at least let your sister sit.” He guided everyone toward the seating area near the fireplace, where smoldering embers provided a minimum of heat.
Ivy took a place on the settee and indicated that Fanny should join her. “Tell me everything. How was the wedding?”
West sat on the other side of Ivy on the settee while David took a chair near Fanny.
“The wedding was fine,” Fanny said. “Mercy was beautiful. John seems very happy.”
Ivy smiled. She didn’t harbor any ill feelings toward her brothers. “That’s nice to hear. How was Jacob?”
“Odd, if you must know. He was…nice.”
Ivy blinked. “He was always nice to me when we were younger, but I was older than him, so I think he felt he had to be. I’m glad to hear he’s finally treating you better.”
“Compared to Mother and Father, he was positively charming.”
Ivy adjusted her skirt around her belly. “How was it a disaster?”
“After the wedding, David came to the church to meet Mother and Father.”
“I’d hoped to gain their blessing, but they weren’t amenable.” His face darkened to a scowl, and she reached over to briefly clasp his hand.
“Oh dear, what happened?”
“Father hit him.”
“And then he hit her,” David said before she could.
“Good Christ!” West exclaimed. “Tell me you thrashed him to within an inch of his life. Give or take an inch.”
“I would have, but her brothers pulled us apart.”
“If you decided we should try again, let me know,” West said, his gaze icy with fury. He took Ivy’s hand and held it
on the settee between them.
Fanny noted that West had said “we” should try again. Their families might be at war, but at least they had Ivy and West.
Ivy lightly touched Fanny’s cheek. “It’s not nothing,” she said softly, her gaze full of concern. “What was their opposition to the union, just the fact that he’s an earl?” Her eyes turned sad, and Fanny’s heart pulled. “I’m so sorry I ruined things for you with my poor decision.”
Fanny shook her head. “It isn’t your fault. Their attitude has nothing to do with Bothwick.” Her lip curled as she said the name, and Fanny noticed West tense. He traced his thumb over the back of Ivy’s hand. “Well, maybe not nothing, but it’s not the sole or primary reason. Do you remember Great-uncle George?”
“I never met him. Did he show up after disappearing for so long?”
“No, he’s still gone or missing or whatever he is. He was a footman at Huntwell.” She sent a nervous glance toward David. Preferring to focus on their happiness, they’d decided not to discuss the past until they arrived home.
“What a bloody coincidence,” West said.
“Indeed,” was all David replied.
That left Fanny to finish the story. “Mother and Father insist that he ran off with David’s aunt because they were in love. However, David’s family believes she was kidnapped.”
Ivy’s eyes widened, and West blew out a whistle.
“That isn’t the worst of it,” David said, his voice a bit tight. “Snowden returned with my aunt a year after they disappeared—she’d delivered a stillborn babe and was dead.”
Lifting her hand to her mouth, Ivy gasped. “I’m so sorry, St. Ives.”
David inclined his head in appreciation. “Please, you must call me David since we’re to be family. If you give your permission, that is.”
“Yes, I give my permission. I’ve known that Fanny was in love with you for some time. I just wasn’t sure you’d find your way to each other, and now to hear this…I’m shocked. My parents always spoke of George’s disappearance with sorrow and anger.” She looked at Fanny with grave concern, her gaze clouded. “So not only is David titled, he’s from the family behind their hatred of titles.”
“Exactly so,” Fanny said with a nod. “It was all they could do not to marry me off to Duckworth while I was there. He did his best—which was beyond pathetic, really—to try to woo me.” When David had learned he was the man who’d attempted to comfort her after the fight in the churchyard, he’d regretted not hitting him too.
“I see,” Ivy said softly. “Unsurprising.”
The butler chose that moment to enter with a tray of refreshments. There was lemonade, cakes, and even two glasses of whisky.
Ivy immediately dove for a cake, then offered a weak smile. “I can’t seem to eat enough lately.”
West’s eyes twinkled. “My boy is rather demanding.”
Ivy rolled her eyes at him before nibbling her cake. She studied David while she chewed, then asked, “How will your family react to you marrying my sister?”
Fanny and David exchanged a quick glance. She’d told him she would never tell Ivy what his mother had threatened. Fanny didn’t want her sister even knowing that someone else knew the truth about her past. David had sworn to keep his mother quiet and completely understood Fanny’s need to protect her sister.
“They will not be thrilled,” he said with a mixture of sarcasm and concern. “But they will accept Fanny or find themselves looking for somewhere else to reside.” As it was, he wasn’t entirely sure what the living arrangements would be after they wed. He’d explained that his uncle currently lived in the dower house, but that his mother would move there now that he was betrothed. Where his uncle would live was currently unknown.
“In the meantime,” David continued, “I want to try to determine what happened with my aunt and your great-uncle thirty years ago. Your father said his uncle had written a letter to his father saying he and my aunt were in love. Unfortunately, that letter is lost.”
“I do hope they were in love and that her death was a tragic accident,” Ivy said. “I know how births can go wrong.”
She glanced over at West, who took her hand and pressed a kiss to the back. His eyes met hers, and the love between them was palpable. They hadn’t lost a child, but Ivy’s first daughter had come early and been stillborn at the workhouse. That West shared in her loss filled Fanny with awe. She looked over at David, certain she’d found someone who would do the same for her.
“Fanny hopes the same thing,” David said, his eyes meeting hers. “But we may never know.”
“If I can provide assistance in any way, I hope you’ll let me know,” West said, reaching for a cake. “Do you plan to speak to your uncle?”
“I’m not sure that would be wise.” David gave his head a shake. “Uncle Walter is particularly sensitive about the topic. He doesn’t ever wish to discuss it and grows quite agitated when it’s mentioned.”
Fanny pressed her lips together. “Are you certain he’ll come to accept me?” She’d worried about his family throughout the journey.
David looked at her with defiance and love. “He doesn’t have any other choice. You and I have nothing to do with what happened thirty years ago. And I rather like your logic—that Fate has brought us together to heal the wounds of the past.”
Ivy picked up another cake. “I like that too.”
David finished his glass of whisky, then announced that he would take his leave.
“Take one of my horses,” West offered. “You’ll never make it before dark in your coach.” That was probably true.
“Thank you,” David said, rising.
West stood with him. “I’ll take you to the stable.”
Fanny rose, and David took her in his arms for a fleeting kiss, his lips just barely grazing hers. “I’ll see you soon,” he said. “Tomorrow.”
“I hate that you’ll be away from me,” she whispered.
“Not for long. I’ll obtain the license tomorrow, and then we’ll be wed whenever you like.”
She nodded. “I’ll talk to Ivy about that right now. Please be safe.”
“Nothing will keep me from you, Fanny. Don’t ever doubt that.” He smiled down at her before kissing her again. Then he turned and joined West, who was waiting near the door.
When they were gone, she sat down with a weary, lonely sigh.
“I’ve never seen you so happy,” Ivy said, finishing a third cake.
“Quite ridiculously so.” Fanny grinned as she turned to face her sister. She gave her a quick, sudden hug. “I just needed to do that. It’s been a very trying week.”
“It sounds like it. I’m so sorry you had to face our parents alone.”
“I’m so sorry they’re our parents. When I think of what they did to you, I really hate them.”
“I know, but you mustn’t harbor animosity in your heart. Let me do that.” Her lips curled into a devilish smile that made Fanny laugh.
“You’ve more than earned that right.”
“Was Jacob really pleasant to you?” Ivy asked, clearly circumspect.
“Yes. In fact, he was the only one who was supportive of my workhouse idea.”
Her eyes practically fell from their sockets. “You told them about that? I can well imagine what they might have said. Goodness, Fanny, were you trying to annoy them?”
“Perhaps I was. As I said, I can barely think of them without growing angry. I suppose I might make a point of pricking their tempers. Not that it’s difficult.”
Ivy nodded in agreement. “Well, I’m glad you’re here. Let us talk about your wedding instead.”
“Yes, let’s!” Fanny was eager to make plans. “We’d like to marry at the parish church in Clare.”
“That’s where West and I were married.”
“I wish I had been there,” Fanny said wistfully. She hated that she’d missed so much time with Ivy.
“I do too. I should have come for you sooner. I was just so afr
aid to go back there.”
Fanny took her hand. “Which is completely understandable. They treated me far better, and now I’m afraid to return!”
“No, you aren’t afraid,” Ivy said softly. “You’re far stronger and braver than I.”
“That’s absolutely false. You’re the strongest person I know. To have overcome what you did and look at you now… A duchess.”
“It’s certainly not what I expected. And I did try to dissuade West.”
“So you’ve told me.” Fanny laughed “I can barely imagine it, though. You’re clearly meant to be together. Just like me and David.”
Ivy tipped her head to the side. “Is that what you think?”
“Oh, I know it’s true. I never told you this—and you mustn’t be angry—but I met David at Christmastide. Do you remember the day I went for a walk and came back all dirty because I’d slipped in the snow?”
“Yes, I remember that day. You were gone a very long time. Because you met David?”
Fanny nodded. “I was lost.” Her tone was sheepish, and she felt heat climb into her face. “David helped me find my way back. And then we pretended there was mistletoe.”
Ivy picked up her glass of lemonade. “I see.” She took a sip, then set it back on the table before the settee. “So when you met him in London, you already knew each other.”
“Yes, but I thought he was a steward. And he thought I was a housemaid.” She held her hand to her mouth to keep her laughter in check.
Ivy was also amused, her lips curving up. “Why did you tell him you were a housemaid?”
“He didn’t believe I lived at Stour’s Edge. And then I thought it would be rather scandalous for me—Fanny Snowden—to be alone with him, so I said I was a housemaid.”
“Clever. Well done of you,” Ivy said. “And why was he a steward?”
“For much the same reason. That and he’d only recently become the earl after his father had died, and he said he didn’t feel much like an earl yet. He and his father were rather close.”
