by GG Shalton
Janice took a drink. “She is probably in the back over there next to those boxes. I will go get her.”
Andrew accepted a drink from the waitress and engaged in conversation with Laura. A few minutes later Janice appeared with an older woman who had the same eyes as Amelia. He had no doubt that this was her mother. She was still very attractive and worked her image with the help of cosmetics and tight-fitting gowns.
“Mr. Baird, it’s nice to meet you. Janice has told me good things about you.” She smiled and stood in front of him.
He smiled at her flirtatious nature. If she only knew that he was her son–in-law. “May we speak over there privately?”
She motioned toward the boxes and they stepped away from the others.
Andrew leaned over and whispered. “I am looking for a girl that may have come to see you. Her name is Amelia.”
“Amelia? I buried that name years ago, yet it keeps coming up today.” Pinching her cheeks for more color, she turned to face Andrew. “Mr. Baird, you are out of luck. It seems your friend has left.”
Andrew straightened his mouth. “Do you know where she went?”
A man came over to Mary before she could answer. “John wants to see you.”
She nodded. “Tell him I will be there in a moment.” She looked at Andrew. “Mr. Baird, I must go.”
Andrew grabbed her arm as she tried to leave him. “I am not finished with you.” He looked at the man. “Tell John I will send Miss Brady when I am finished with her.”
The man’s eyes widened. “Yes, Mr. Baird.”
She looked at him jerking her arm out of his grip. “Do people always do what you say?”
He straightened his jacket. “Don’t be coy with me, Miss Brady. I am losing my patience.”
She laughed. “Okay, tough guy. Why are you looking for her? Does she owe you money?”
Andrew lifted the corner of his mouth. “I give her money without pay back. It’s my responsibility.”
Miss Brady crinkled her brow. “Does she work for you?”
Andrew’s face hardened at her attempt to be evasive. “Where is she? I won’t ask you again.”
She shrugged her shoulders. “I do not know. She thought I could be someone I am not and ran out of here.”
Andrew’s jaw flexed as he tried to remain calm. “What did you say to her?”
She watched his reaction. “I can see she told you about me. I told her that having a baby and being a mother was not the same. I gave her away and never looked back. She told me her life was hard and she thought I would rescue her. Hard? She doesn’t know what hard is and grew up with privilege. She should thank me.”
Andrew narrowed his eyes. “You don’t know her at all. Don’t pretend to know what her life was like. Do one good thing for her and tell me where she is.”
She shook her head and let out a huff. “Who is she to you?”
Andrew tilted his head. “She is my wife.”
Her mouth dropped open. “I had no idea.” She smirked. “I bet her father had a heart attack. I would have loved to have seen that.” She fidgeted with her gloves pulling them tighter on her hands. “Mr. Baird, I would tell you where she went if I knew. Amelia ran out of here crying and that is the last time I saw her.”
Andrew looked annoyed as Mary walked away. He turned around as a man approached him. “Mr. Baird? May I have word in private?”
Andrew walked with him by the side doorway. He looked down with a bit of a shudder showing his nervousness. “Forgive me for intruding on your conversation. I overheard you say that you were looking for that girl.”
Andrew creased his eyebrows. “Yes, her name is Amelia.”
The man looked away finding it hard to make eye contact. “She was crying and I helped her find a hack. Real pretty girl she was. I heard her tell the driver to take her to McNown Street. She said she wanted to see the entire world. Hope she doesn’t get herself into trouble.”
Suddenly he knew where she was going. It had to be the lighthouse, it was near McNown Street and she could see the entire world. “Thank you, sir.”
He tried to put some cash into his hand, but the man refused. “I am just happy that she has someone to look after her. Seemed like a good girl.”
Andrew found his horse and went to find her.
The lighting on the streets was sporadic and darkness lurked on corners causing Andrew to go slowly through the cobblestone walkways. The lighthouse he owned was a good hour away at this pace. He wanted to get to her as fast as he could. She must be distraught at finding her mother in such a state. Who could blame her for running out of the theatre?
He reached the lighthouse with emptiness in his chest. The doors were locked and the key was in his home in Edinburgh. He hoped she found a way inside as the chill of the night would be too much for her. After inspecting the tower, he noticed the side window was broken. A smile crept across his face as he eyed a faint light in the upstairs window. Someone was inside and he had a feeling it was Amelia. He reached through the broken window and opened the door. Not too safe, but he would fix it later and replace the window.
He climbed the stairs reaching the second floor. He saw her lying on the bed with her back to the door. Not wanting to scare her he whispered, “Amelia?”
She gasped loudly and scooted across the bed frightened at the figure taking up the doorway. She looked closer trying to decipher who the figure was. “Andrew?”
He smiled and stepped toward her leaning down to sit on the bed. Upon closer inspection of his wife, he could see her swollen eyes and tear-stained face. Her hair tumbled down out of her braid, and she was shivering. He reached for a blanket and wrapped it around her.
She pulled it up to her chin. “Thank you.” Not sure of his mood, she stuttered, “How…? What are you doing here? I promise you that I was coming back. Please don’t be angry with me. I was not running away only trying to find my mother. There was no time to get your permission.” Fresh tears welled up in her eyes.
He reached for her hand. “Shh. Amelia. I am not angry with you.”
She wrinkled her brow confused by his kindness. “I don’t understand. How did you find me?”
He let go of her hand and stood up closing the door trying to get some heat into the room.
“I went to Dundee. Mrs. Franklin reluctantly told me where you went.” He turned to look at her as her face twisted in bewilderment.
She rubbed her lips together. “I was so sure that my mother would be happy to see me. I imagined that she would welcome me with open arms as her long-lost daughter.” A sob came out as she tried to continue. “I thought my horrible father kept her away from me.”
She snorted, looking back up at Andrew. “Turns out that he had more honor than she did. Can you believe that? The only reason he acknowledged me was because she dropped me off to him in front of my grandmother. It was her that made him provide for me. An unloved child that was a burden. My grandmother must have arranged the fake papers that showed my parents were married for my protection. They were never married. I am a bastard. I now understand why my father treated me so poorly. He didn’t want me and I reminded him of his mistake. He could never love me. She could never love me. No one could ever love me.” Sobs came out as she put her hands over her face.
Andrew came to the bed and sat down again and embraced her. “Don’t say that. I love you.”
Amelia froze. Unsure of his words, she snuggled against his chest unable to see his face. Trying to compose herself she pulled back from his embrace. “What did you say?”
He touched her face wiping the tears and brushing her hair back with his hand. “It doesn’t matter if your parents loved you. You are loved, Amelia. I love you.”
She closed her eyes basking in the feelings that went through her. “Say it again.”
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He smiled and kissed her on the forehead. “I love you.”
She reached out her arms and squeezed him tightly around his neck laying her cheek on his chest. “I love you, too.”
He held her in his embrace for a few moments. Neither of them saying anything. She finally broke their hold. “I thought you would never say those words. That you would never forgive me.”
Andrew looked down. “You hurt me, Amelia. I never thought I would allow anyone to hurt me since I was a kid—I had a heart of stone to survive. They used to say I had ice in my veins. But the day I saw you dancing with those kids and looking so beautiful, the ice melted. You betrayed me and I thought I could never forgive you. But I learned that sometimes love is more important than all things—even vengeance. You make me want to be a better person. I love you and our son. I want us to be a family. It tore my heart out when I thought I might lose you.”
She touched his face and whispered, “Make love to me, Andrew.”
He leaned down and kissed her softly. Pulling her closer to his chest as he deepened the kiss. She responded by opening her mouth and her body responded to his touch. For the first time, she initiated her own touching removing his coat and loosening his cravat. He unlaced her gown as she explored his body, not breaking from the kiss. He leaned her back on to the bed and took off her gown, then finished undressing himself, excited that she wanted him as much as he wanted her. Their lovemaking was intense. She lay in his arms afterward as they slowly recovered. He didn’t want to let her go.
He ran his fingers through her hair. “I have something for you.”
She leaned back to look at his face. “I have everything I need.”
He shook his head. “No, this is something I hope you will want.” He scooted from under her and took his pants off the floor. He put his hand in the pocket taking out the ring.
She gasped. “It’s my wedding ring. How did you get it back?”
He grinned, rubbing her hand. “One of my guards found it the night you left. I have been keeping it for you. Waiting for a time that you would want it back.”
She put her hand out and Andrew slid the ring on her finger. “I will never take it off.”
He bent down and kissed her.
She held her hand out looking at her ring. “I can’t believe I have it back.”
He watched her closely. “I want to start over, Amelia. I want us to be married again. This time for love.”
She looked surprised at his confession. “A love match? I like the sound of that.” She reached up and kissed him on the cheek.
Andrew slipped out of bed and bent down on his knees taking her hands. Amelia sat up, drawing her brow, confused by his action.
“Amelia, will you marry me again? I don’t want you to say yes out of obligation or because you are afraid you will lose any money. If your answer is no, I will give you a divorce and you can keep the cottage and the money I gave your father along with a hefty settlement. It was wrong of me to make the deal with your father without considering your feelings. If you say yes to me, I will try to be the best husband for you. I want it to be your choice.”
She put her hand over her face, nodding her head and catching her breath. “Yes, yes, yes, I will marry you again.”
He reached for her pulling her closer to him. She was shaking with tears of joy.
He squeezed her tightly. “It’s freezing in here. I say we get dressed and go stay at the inn down the road. Tomorrow we can go back to Dundee and get Robert. I want us to be a family. A real family. There is a chapel on our estate in Edinburgh, and I want to say our vows again as soon as possible.”
She touched his face. “I do too.”
Amelia dressed in a beautiful lacy cream-colored gown. She held red roses that Andrew had given her that morning. She wore the diamond necklace from their picnic highlighted by cream gloves and a few flowers in her hair. No longer nervous, but excited to say her vows again.
Andrew waited for her in the chapel. Mr. Charles served as her escort to give her away. They had gathered their friends and servants for another wedding. Amelia was overjoyed to see Beatrice and Alfred. Andrew had spoken to the couple and asked them to join in the festivities. Alfred accepted his position back and Beatrice remained as Amelia’s friend rather than her employee. Andrew provided them a hunting lodge to live in on the estate. Mrs. Franklin held Robert during the ceremony while Mrs. Palmer assured them that there were plenty of apple tarts for their wedding breakfast.
Amelia said her vows with love in her heart, and Andrew declared his love for her in front of all the guests. The couple was congratulated by well-wishers and wished a lifetime of happiness.
Jean hit her glass with her spoon. “May I say my heartfelt congratulations to the bride and groom? I am so happy I could be at this wedding, since I was not invited to the other one.” She smiled and winked at the couple. “However, there seems to be something missing. Only one more wish could make this wedding perfect.”
Andrew’s smile faded. “What would that be?”
A deep voice came from the back the crowd. “Me! Do you think I would let you guys celebrate without me again?” All the heads turned and Ian entered with a wide smile.
The couple stood up and hugged him. Ian laughed and walked over to Mrs. Franklin. He lifted Robert from her lap. “Now, I have fallen behind in my duties as an uncle and have some catching up to do if I am to corrupt him to be the finest kid in the nursery.”
Amelia laughed at his silliness and looked around the room realizing her life had come full circle. Her dreams had changed. Her parents were not what she had hoped they would be. But these people at this wedding breakfast were her family now. They loved her and she loved them. And she couldn’t be happier.
Epilogue
Amelia entered the drawing room eyeing Mr. Charles on the floor trying to find a chess piece. “Robert! Stop throwing the chess pieces, or he will not teach you to play anymore.”
“Mama, I want to play with the pieces in my fort.” Robert jumped off the chair and ran over to Amelia with chess pieces in each one of his chubby hands. He held up his hands for her to carry him.
A deep voice rumbled behind him. “Robert, your mother can’t pick you up. She is getting ready to have another baby, and you are too heavy now.”
Amelia looked up at her husband. “I didn’t hear you come in.”
He walked over and kissed her stomach. “How do you feel, love?”
She stretched her back. “My ankles are swollen, and I look awful. Rachel invited us to dinner, but I’m not sure I am up for it.”
He embraced her. “You look beautiful. But I don’t want you to push yourself too much. Come and sit on the settee. I told the doctor we would be staying in London until after you deliver. I like the doctors here better. I want to make sure that you have the best medical care.”
Mr. Charles stood up and straightened his jacket. “Mr. and Mrs. Baird, may I suggest we wait another year before young master Robert will be ready to play chess.”
Both Amelia and Andrew laughed. Andrew sat beside his wife rubbing her stomach. “I agree.”
Robert crossed his arms. “I can play chess, Papa.”
He reached over and pulled his son on his lap. “Of course, you can. If you use the pieces for toys. Chess is a game for big boys. Perhaps we can play a different game?” He squeezed him and sat him between Amelia and himself.
Amelia rubbed her son’s head and looked over at Andrew. “I thought you were working this afternoon.”
Andrew touched her face as Robert wiggled between them unable to sit still. He hopped off the settee and ran to his toys by the fireplace.
“I told Brian I wanted to spend the afternoon with you. He handles most of the day-to-day business now. Perhaps when he finally takes a wife, I will help him out more than I do
now. But Robert may be big enough to take over before that happens.” He chuckled.
Amelia smirked rubbing her stomach. “Or this one could be a girl and she can take over your business.”
Andrew took both of her hands laughing. He kissed her on the mouth. “As you wish, my dear. As you wish.”
The End
About the Author
GG Shalton has been writing short stories most of her life. Often entertaining friends and family. At their encouragement she wrote her first novel in 2016 for publication. Although, she received her Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, her real passion is history. Her fascination with different time periods is the inspiration for most her stories. GG is an avid reader and can often be found in various hiding places around her home enjoying a good book. She loves happy endings and most of her free time is spent developing story lines and writing. She is married to a wonderful husband who inspires her to pursue her passion. They met while both of them served in the US Navy. Her heart belongs to her two sons who both promise that one day they may read one of her books. She thanks Jesus for her multiple blessings each day, especially the gift of storytelling.
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