by Lisa Reisner
Marcus traded his worried expression for an awestruck one. His eyes shifted toward her stomach and his face lit up with joy. “Truly?”
“Truly,” Abigail confirmed. She could tell he was pleased, but she wanted to hear the words, straight from his lips. “Are you happy?”
He leaned forward and placed a soft kiss on her forehead. “I am unbelievably happy.” Marcus continued to beam at her. “If it’s a girl, I hope she has your eyes.”
Abigail pictured a little girl with Marcus’s smile. “If it’s a boy, I hope he is as handsome as you.”
They were too engrossed with each other to notice the three gentlemen leaving the room, giving them some much needed privacy.
Jordan shut the door behind him and turned to Robert. “And I hope your Caroline is an absolute miracle worker.”
Robert stared at the closed door. “Caroline will give it her best shot.” He smiled to himself. “But if she could make a scoundrel like me come to heel, she is capable of anything.”
Chapter 30
“You look ravishing,” Lady Sunderland declared as her gaze swept over Abigail from head to toe. “You will be all the rage at the charity auction. Lord Everton will hardly be able to take his eyes off you.”
“I am quite sure Marcus has seen many women dressed up for a ball,” Abigail replied modestly. In truth, she did want Marcus to be especially pleased by her appearance tonight. He had never seen her in such formal attire, and it would be nice to have his masculine approval. “Although, I must agree the dressmaker truly outdid herself.”
Abigail stepped back from the full-length mirror to get a clear view of her appearance. Madam Felicia chose a lavender satin fabric that seemed to match her eyes perfectly and highlight her alabaster complexion. The off the shoulders scoop neckline revealed a tantalizing amount of décolletage and enough cleavage to make Abigail blush. A hand stitched white taffeta sash emphasized her tiny waist and showed off her figure to its best advantage. Although, the detail that made the garb truly unique were the tiny crystals embroidered throughout the entire dress. She smiled at her sparkling exterior; tonight she needed to shine and she truly would.
Abigail was eager to see Marcus tonight. It had been a week since they had been in each other’s company. She was staying at the Sunderlands’ home in London. It had been decided for the sake of appearances and to quiet the gossip they should separate for a short while, but she missed him terribly.
Caroline must have noticed her frown. “Don’t fret, Abigail. Everything is going to run perfectly tonight.”
Abigail thanked her lucky stars for Caroline’s intervention. Lady Sunderland had thought up the perfect plan to have society accept her, despite her shocking past. “Do you really believe the King will show up for the charity ball?”
“He will not only be there, but he will escort you around,” Caroline answered with confidence. Upon her arrival back to London, Abigail was made aware of the fact the King had been singing her praises to everyone for curing him of his painful affliction. “When I explained your situation to King George, he practically jumped at the chance to launch you into society. Besides, the King knows appearing at a charity event may improve his less than stellar reputation.”
Abigail knew a stamp of approval from the King of England was just what she needed. Marcus was determined to marry her, regardless of society’s opinion, but for the sake of Olivia and their unborn child, she desperately wanted to be respectable in the eyes of the ton.
“I only wish Jane could be here,” Abigail announced.
“It is unfortunate she will not attend. I told her it’s been many years since the scandal and the gossip has died down, but she didn’t want to do anything to harm the success of the evening,” Caroline explained. Jane never talked openly to Abigail about what occurred five years ago; she could tell it was simply still too painful for Jane to discuss. “But I do know of someone’s company that may cheer you up.”
Caroline opened the door which led into the hallway. “Please bring her in.”
Abigail turned to see who Caroline was talking about and when she did, she immediately erupted into tears. Grumman was holding Olivia’s hand as they entered the room.
“Abigail!” Olivia squealed as she ran into her open embrace. It felt wonderful to hold Olivia in her arms. “I’ve missed you so much.”
“Not as much as I have missed you,” Abigail whispered. She looked up at Grumman’s smiling face. “Thank you.”
“It was my pleasure. Olivia insisted on it,” Grumman replied as he eyed her formal attire. “And if I may be so bold as to remark you look positively smashing.”
“You look like a fairy princess. No wonder my uncle is sweet on you,” Olivia commented with a giggle.
“Olivia, you know that kind of talk is not appropriate,” Grumman said with a disapproving frown.
Olivia jutted out her chin. “Well it’s the truth! Abigail is all Uncle Marcus talks about.” She quickly turned to Abigail. “My uncle told me he is going to marry you. Isn’t that true, Abigail?”
Olivia’s excitement made Abigail’s heart lurch. What if society never would accept her past? How could she marry Marcus if she was to be a laughingstock to everyone? She could never live with herself if she sullied the Everton name.
Abigail touched Olivia’s soft cheek. “It would be my greatest wish to become your uncle’s wife, but there are a few things that need to be straightened out before that can happen.”
Olivia’s saucer like eyes widened with curiosity. “Like what?”
It took a little thought to come up with an appropriate explanation for a child to understand. “It is just...it is just there are some people that need to like me before I accept your uncle’s proposal.”
Abigail’s explanation seemed to brighten Olivia’s demeanor. “Is that all? You will be married in no time! Who couldn’t like you, Abigail?”
Abigail gave Olivia a fierce hug. Now more than ever, she needed tonight to go off without a hitch. “Olivia, I am banking on that!”
∞
The harmonious sounds of a twenty-piece orchestra floated through the Sunderlands’ grand ballroom. Elegantly dressed waiters passed around the finest champagne and guests dined on a delectable buffet of apple glazed pork, poached salmon in Mousseline sauce and quail with truffles.
A small stage and hundreds of linen wrapped chairs were lined up for the auction. Sterling silver candelabras and numerous floral arrangements of white hydrangeas and peach roses added a touch of elegance to the already extravagant space. Guests would mingle, dance and enjoy some food and refreshments before the main purpose of the evening would take place.
“What is taking so long? Where is Abigail?” Marcus asked with impatience as he looked around at the sea of people.
Jordan grinned. “Relax, my friend. Caroline stressed the importance of Abigail making the perfect entrance. She will be here soon enough. Besides, haven’t you heard the expression ‘all good things come to those who wait’?”
Marcus was through with waiting. He had been away from Abigail for an entire week and it felt like an eternity. She was the mother of his unborn child. His place was by her side and he could care less what society thought of the situation. “That is it! I am going upstairs to see what is taking so long!”
Marcus took one step forward when Caroline and Robert appeared at the top of the twin curved staircase. A footman announced their arrival and the crowd beamed at their host and hostess for the evening. Of course, their arrival was nothing in comparison to the one after it.
Trumpets blared as King George stepped forward to survey the audience below. As usual, he was swathed in the finest silks and satins money could buy. “With great honor, I announce Your Royal Highness, King George.” The ladies curtsied and the gentleman bowed their heads to show respect and King George reveled in the attention. King George held out his arm, beckoning Abigail to his side. “He will be accompanied by Lady Bainbridge, the Viscountess of Barclay.”
<
br /> Marcus’ stomach dropped as he heard Abigail announced by her proper name. The collective hushed whispers indicated the crowd had realized exactly who she was. His body went rigid with anger and instinctively wanted to go to her and protect her against society’s malicious nature, but he soon realized Abigail could take care of herself.
Abigail stepped out of the shadows and took King George’s arm as he escorted her downstairs. Marcus’s chest swelled with pride as the onlookers were given a glimpse of a shimmering beauty. Abigail’s long, raven hair was pulled back off her forehead by a diamond encrusted comb and left to fall in waves around her shoulders. Marcus heard the gossip slowly switch from Abigail’s marked past to her current state of loveliness. He attributed the crowd’s swift change in attitude to Abigail’s regal countenance and the sheer fact she was being accompanied by the King of England.
Abigail made her way through the crowd, greeting everyone with a pretty smile and genuine interest. King George sung her praises with each introduction, describing her as the best healer in all of England. Halfway through the introductions, Marcus almost laughed as he watched some of society’s major players waiting eagerly for a chance to meet Abigail.
Marcus wanted to cut through the swarm of people and join her, but Caroline’s voice entered his head. Leave her be until the auction starts. There is no need to stir up any unwanted gossip. When the bidding starts, you are free to make your move. He smiled inwardly, Abigail had no idea what was in store for her and Marcus could hardly wait for her reaction. Before the night was through, the entire ton would know Abigail was to be his wife.
Marcus was beginning to think the night was going to go off without a hitch. Of course, that was before Cynthia Applewood entered the ballroom.
“Who let that awful woman in?” Jordan asked Marcus. “I can’t believe she had the nerve to show her face around here. What do you think she hopes to accomplish?”
The ton’s elite were momentarily stunned as they watched Lady Applewood squeeze her way through throngs of people patiently waiting for a moment with king. Marcus knew it was time to intervene. After all, he was all too familiar with her treacherous nature and the lengths she would go to ruin Abigail, but for some reason he held himself back and waited for the scene to unfold.
“I beg a moment of your time, Your Royal Highness,” Lady Applewood implored as she fell into a deep curtsy in front of the King. Her gaze was full of venom as she raked her eyes over Abigail. “But you must be unaware of Lady Bainbridge’s sordid past. If you knew the full truth you would not grant her your esteemed company.”
Marcus grit his teeth with anger at the sight of Abigail’s stricken face, but his fury began to fade when he saw King George’s irritated expression. He was eyeing Lady Applewood like she was a fly in his soup.
“What is the meaning of this? How dare you speak to me with such impudence and insult my guest so freely,” King George snapped as his face reddened with anger. “I am well aware of the lady’s past and I am quite sympathetic to her plight. She is a woman of great courage, which is quite a rarity in today’s times.” King George surveyed his subjects and spoke with great authority as he said, “If you or anyone else tries to say otherwise, I will personally make certain you will never be welcomed in good society again. Is that clear?”
Marcus could not believe his good fortune. Lady Applewood had inadvertently secured Abigail’s place amongst the ton. Although King George was not the most popular monarch to grace England, no one would dare defy him. The look of horror on Lady Applewood’s face was priceless and just when Marcus thought the situation couldn’t get any better, it did.
“I take full responsibility, Your Highness, that you had to endure one moment in this wretched woman’s company,” Liam Stone apologized as he marched into the ballroom and bowed before the King. “But I had to secure the proper evidence to ensure her arrest.”
Lady Applewood looked ready to faint as she stared at the magistrate standing next to Liam. “Arrest? Are you truly demented? On what charges?”
“Burglary and conspiracy to commit murder,” Liam offered with a satisfied smirk. “The post carrier confirmed the file stolen from my office was in your possession before you sent it directly to Lord Bainbridge. In addition, we have several witnesses that will testify to overhearing a conversation you had with Lord Bainbridge, one in which you encouraged him to kill Lady Bainbridge.”
“Lies, all lies,” Lady Applewood declared, her eyes surveying the crowd, frantically trying to find an ally in the bunch. Of course, everyone avoided her gaze like the plague.
Liam spoke directly to the King. “It is all true, Your Highness.”
“Shocking, indeed. Well, I will not endure another moment of her tainted company. Remove her immediately,” King George demanded. “A person such as this does not belong amongst civilized society.”
Liam gave Marcus a curt smile as he helped the magistrate haul Lady Applewood away. Marcus had experienced his fair share of unusual events, but nothing had ever prepared him for this unbelievable display. One thing he knew for certain, he owed Liam Stone a great deal.
He wondered how Abigail was fairing under the circumstances. Her face was a mixture of shock and pity, which almost made him smile. It was just like his Abigail to have sympathy for someone who just moments ago sought to destroy her. His Abigail, this beautiful human being, would soon be his.
Marcus watched as Caroline apologized to her guests for the horrid disruption, desperately trying to regain the lighthearted mood of the evening. Robert stepped in to help his wife. He suggested the auction start at once, reminding everyone of the original purpose of the night, rather than the ugliness they all just witnessed. King George responded to Robert’s request by taking Abigail’s arm and escorting her to the auction area, which prompted everyone else to follow suit.
“I never thought I would ever be in absolute agreement with King George until this very moment,” Jordan whispered for only Marcus to hear. “It’s turning out to be quite a splendid evening. I may even stay for the second act.”
Jordan’s wry sense of humor reminded him of what he needed to accomplish this evening. Marcus quickly took an aisle seat, a few rows behind Abigail and the King. The tense atmosphere of the room began to fade as the bidding started. The auctioneer had a clever story or funny detail about each item, and even the King enjoyed a hearty chuckle or two at his performance.
Marcus sat next to Lord MacMillan, who looked very pleased with himself after outbidding Lord Davenport on an exquisite fourteenth century vase. He turned to Marcus and said, “My wife is redecorating our country estate in Derbyshire and that piece will make a perfect addition. I think she is going to like it very much. It seems I am willing do anything in my power to see a smile on my lady’s face.”
Marcus smiled at the obvious devotion Lord MacMillan had for his wife. “She will be delighted, it’s a fine piece.”
“Thank you, my lord,” Lord Macmillan responded and with a laugh he added, “So, when will it be your turn to make an absolute cake of yourself over a woman? The ton waits with bated breath until you make some lucky lady your bride. I hope for the sake of The Times gossip column it will be sooner than later.”
Marcus grinned as he spied the sparkling green gem the auctioneer had just held up. “It may be sooner than you think, Lord MacMillan.”
“In my hands is a flawless seven carat emerald ring, a fine specimen, indeed. Every lady in the room would love to have it on their finger,” the auctioneer predicted with confidence as most of the females in the room leaned in for a closer look. “So, gentlemen, who will win the undying devotion of their wife or daughter? Let us start the bidding at two thousand pounds, shall we?”
Marcus raised his wooden bidding paddle and the entire room seemed to take notice. After all, Marcus was without a wife and everyone knew Olivia was far too young to wear such a precious bauble. He could almost sense the crowd imagining the identity of the lucky woman who would adorn the pri
ze. Marcus received immediate competition for the ring, but one by one his opponents began to dwindle when it seemed Marcus was willing to pay anything for the jewel.
He badly wanted to see if Abigail was watching him, but steeled his gaze away from her, not willing to give any secrets away to his curious audience. Marcus never had a flare for the dramatic, but tonight would be different. He wanted to create a spectacle the ton would gossip about until next season.
“Fifteen thousand pounds! Do I hear sixteen?” The auctioneer searched the audience for a taker. “Going once, going twice...sold, to the determined Lord Everton!”
The spectators clapped and whispered into the ears of their immediate neighbors. Some even went as far as pointing toward Abigail, and Marcus swore under his breath as he clearly heard the word ‘mistress’. Now was the time to put an end to any ugly rumors floating around.
Marcus stood up and cleared his throat. “Excuse me, sir, but I would like to make sure the ring I just purchased fits properly.”
The auctioneer’s brows furrowed with confusion and he stared at Marcus like he was a bit crazy in the head. “Of course, my lord, but you do realize it is a woman’s ring?”
The crowd erupted in laughter and Marcus kept a straight face as he approached the stage. “Yes, I am quite aware of that little detail.”
The auctioneer took in Marcus’s serious demeanor and immediately caught on to Marcus’s plan. He smiled as he handed the gem to Marcus and with a wink he added, “Good luck, my lord.”
The volume of gossip in the room reached an almost deafening level as everyone was speculating on Marcus’s peculiar behavior. All eyes were on him, but the only eyes Marcus’s sought were a pair that shined like liquid amethysts. He held her lovely gaze as he got down on one knee.
The crowd gasped and Abigail looked speechless. Marcus reached for her soft hand and slipped the sparkling emerald on her finger. He felt his throat constricting with emotion as he stared at the face of the woman he wanted to share the rest of his life with. “Abigail, will you make me the happiest man alive by doing me the honor of becoming my wife?”
