‘Never mind, here he is now,’ Edward said, lifting her chin.
Aurelia turned around and saw her husband had entered the room. He froze mid-step as their eyes met, then he lifted his eyes to the ceiling and ran his hands through his hair. His hat was nowhere to be seen and his tie was askew.
‘I thought I’d lost you,’ he said, rushing towards her. He seemed so relieved that Aurelia found it hard to believe he wanted to leave her. They were friends, though. Whatever deeper feelings he lacked, they liked each other’s company. It was her fault for allowing herself to grow too close.
‘I was beside myself with worry when I couldn’t follow you. I thought I’d have to stay here until I was the last man in the building.’
He stopped short of embracing her and they faced each other awkwardly.
‘I must speak with you,’ Jonathan said.
‘Have you two quarrelled?’ Edward asked, his expression pained.
‘Not exactly,’ Aurelia said.
She drew Jonathan to one side, out of Edward’s hearing.
‘I need to know. Are you still in love with Arthur?’ Jonathan asked before she could speak. ‘I know he is now free to marry. I don’t want to dictate your actions or force you to remain in circumstances which are abhorrent to you.’
‘Absolutely not!’ Aurelia exclaimed. She would not make it easy for him by owning that falsehood. ‘If you thought that us conversing meant I have feelings for him or was planning to leave you, you are very much mistaken. You did, didn’t you?’
He nodded slowly.
‘Well, I’m not going to be the one who instigates that. I’ve weathered one scandal and survived that, but I have no intention of risking another by leaving you,’ she said. ‘If you do not wish me to live with you, I shall ask Edward if I can live with him rather than return to Siddon Hall. He’s growing weaker and may need assistance at some point. What is more natural than his greatest friend’s wife taking the burden?’
They both glanced towards Edward who was standing where they had left him, trying to appear as if he was not burning to discover what they were discussing.
‘You must do as you see fit. I will not prevent you if you wish to leave me,’ Jonathan said stiffly. ‘But I must ask for clarification on one point. Why would I not want you to live with me?’ He seemed genuinely puzzled, his brow furrowed.
‘Because you only married me for convenience and marriage to me is a trial.’ Aurelia folded her arms and looked Jonathan in the eye. ‘I know you wished to marry my sister. I’m sorry Cassandra refused you. I’m sorry I wasn’t the choice you wanted.’
She looked away, discreetly wiping her eyes with her sleeve as finally admitting it out loud caused tears to spill.
‘I never wanted to marry Cassandra,’ Jonathan exclaimed. He ran his hands through his hair, ruffling the waves. ‘Why ever would you think that?’
Aurelia folded her arms. Her eyes swam with tears now. ‘I read your diary. I saw how you described her and your intent to ask for her hand. I can read Greek,’ she admitted. ‘I’ve been able to read it for years. “Tomorrow evening I shall propose to Miss Cassandra Upford.” Do you deny they were your words?’
‘I don’t deny them,’ Jonathan said. ‘And I did intend—reluctantly—to ask for Cassandra’s hand. I thought I should because she was the oldest so it seemed right. But I never wanted to and when it came down to the moment I couldn’t bring myself to do it. I had spent the evening watching you across the table talking with Edward and I knew you were the wife I wanted.’
‘You didn’t want a wife at all,’ she reminded him. ‘You were careful to make sure I knew that from the start.’
‘And I didn’t,’ Jonathan said. ‘But of all the wives I didn’t want, you were the one I didn’t want the least. Oh, that’s not what I mean at all!’ Jonathan pounded his fist on the wall, making Aurelia jump. ‘I mean as I had to have a wife I wanted it to be you.’
His eyes were bright with emotion. Aurelia’s heart began to beat faster. He wanted her. Her, not Cassandra. She didn’t know what to say and was saved from having to respond by Edward stepping close and coughing discreetly.
‘Jonathan, I hate to interrupt what is clearly a very emotional conversation, but Viscount Turnott has returned with one of the friends he spoke of earlier. They would like to speak to you once again.’
Jonathan and Aurelia both followed Edward’s outstretched hand. Aurelia had never heard of the Viscount, but he was standing by the furthest loom and Arthur was by his side. Aurelia looked at Jonathan and shook her head.
‘I didn’t know he would come here.’
‘I believe you,’ Jonathan said. He took her hands and squeezed them tightly. ‘Will you excuse me for a moment? Please don’t run away again.’
She nodded, heart in her mouth.
Jonathan strolled over to the two men and greeted the young Viscount warmly. Aurelia watched as the Viscount introduced Jonathan to Arthur. When Arthur held his hand out, Jonathan’s arm remained rigid at his side.
‘I understand you were once acquainted with my wife. I have heard the circumstances under which you parted and as such I decline to shake your hand.’
Aurelia’s mouth dropped open, unable to believe what had just happened. ‘He’ll ruin everything for himself,’ she whispered to Edward.
Edward shrugged. ‘Perhaps he thinks it is worth the price. You must tell me some time how you know that man. I do enjoy a piece of new gossip, my dear.’
Arthur peered round Jonathan and saw Aurelia. She watched as his face fell. He bowed stiffly to Jonathan and left. Jonathan and Viscount Turnott spoke briefly. To Aurelia, watching anxiously, it seemed the parting was reasonably cordial. Jonathan returned to her side.
‘What were you thinking?’ Aurelia cried.
Jonathan looked at her gravely. ‘I was thinking that the hand of a man who could behave so dishonourably towards a woman is not worth shaking and that he is not the sort of man I would like to do business with. You understand why I had no other choice?’
‘I understand. You would have done it had he insulted any woman of your acquaintance,’ Aurelia said, remembering his words on the riverbank.
Jonathan shook his head. ‘No. I did it because he insulted you.’
He turned to Edward. ‘I may have just put paid to the opportunity we thought we had. Can you forgive me?’
Edward turned the cane round in his hands. ‘I’d like to hear the full story of why you did it, but, yes, when I hear how he has injured our dear Aurelia I expect I will wholly agree.’
Jonathan nodded. ‘I must also beg your forgiveness for the way I’ve behaved towards you. I’ve been appalling.’
He held on to Edward’s hand and squeezed it tightly. Edward swallowed and squeezed it back. His lips moved wordlessly and he turned away, shaking his head. Aurelia could see the emotion in his eyes and stepped away to give the men some space.
‘Do you forgive me for deceiving you?’ Edward asked. ‘Can you look past what sort of man I am?’
Jonathan raised his brows in surprise. ‘Your tastes were never why I was angry,’ he explained. ‘I wish you had told me before about everything that happened between my parents. I shouldn’t have discovered it in such a manner.’
‘I know and I regret it, but I thought it was the best course of action,’ Edward said. ‘I am going to visit Christopher before he dies. You can come with me, if you wish.’
Jonathan shook his head. ‘I have nothing to say to him. You’ve been a better father to me than he ever was.’
‘I tried to be,’ Edward said.
The two men embraced, clapping each other on the back. Aurelia wiped her eyes. Both men turned to her with smiles and eyes that were also a little misty.
‘We were interrupted in the middle of something very important,’ Jonathan said to her. ‘There’s something you need to underst
and. I asked for your hand that evening Aurelia. Yours, and only yours, because I wanted to marry you. Every time we met you fascinated me. I couldn’t shake you from my mind. I sat through dinner that night watching you and dreading the point at which I would have to ask for your sister’s hand.’
He stepped closer and reached for Aurelia’s hand. Warmth spread over her at his touch, causing her blood to race. Tears pricked her eyes, but this time they were tears of joy.
‘You sparkled. You glowed. You were a flame I couldn’t tear myself away from,’ Jonathan said. ‘I don’t ever want to. I know we said our marriage was for the business of birthing an heir, but you mean so much more to me. More than I ever thought you could. Do you know what I’m trying to say?’
‘I do.’ Aurelia blinked away the tears. ‘And I know what you feel because I feel it, too. I love you, Jonathan.’
‘You love me?’
‘I do.’ She felt lightheaded. ‘I didn’t mean to. I didn’t think I could break every promise we made to each other not to care, but break them I did.’
Jonathan laughed aloud. He cut off her words by seizing her in his arms and swinging her round. Aurelia squealed with joy as her feet skimmed the ground. Jonathan lowered her gently and wrapped his arms around her. His eyes burned with joy.
‘I love you. I can’t even remember when I started to. I love the way you frown when you’re thinking. I love your passion and your kindness. I love it when...’ He looked around and his lips twitched. ‘Well, perhaps I won’t go into everything I love about you in such a public place, but I intend to show you later on.’
‘I very much look forward to that demonstration.’ Aurelia laced her fingers through his and his eyes lit up.
‘I didn’t dare hope you felt the same as I did,’ Jonathan said. ‘I felt you were hiding something, but I never dreamed you were hiding that you loved me!’
‘I have been keeping secrets,’ Aurelia admitted. ‘I didn’t want to cause an argument because I wasn’t sure if we were strong enough to make up, but now I think we need to be honest. If we have disagreements, we’ll have to work together to overcome them. That’s part of marriage, too.’
She looked him squarely in the eye. ‘I know you don’t think it is necessary, but I have been teaching the factory girls. Not just sewing or how to recite Bible passages, but the same things as the boys. Please don’t be angry with me. They’re learning well. I want to continue doing it.’
Jonathan cocked his head to one side. Then his face broke into a wide smile.
‘But not to read Greek, I hope—which is something I look forward to discussing with you, by the way. I agree as I can see it means so much to you.’
‘It does. Thank you,’ she said. She put her arms around Jonathan’s neck and kissed his cheek.
‘I can’t deny you anything,’ Jonathan said, slipping his arms around her waist.
‘I should hope not,’ Aurelia said, laughing.
Jonathan kissed her. ‘Now, you aren’t the only one who can keep secrets, Aurelia. I have been making travel plans for us. After our stay in London, I thought we might travel on the Continent for a month or two. We never had a honeymoon, did we? How does Paris sound?’
She slid her arms around his neck and leaned against him. She felt him shiver and smiled. Her heart gave a pulse of pure happiness. Time together with no interruptions. Nights to revel in their newly discovered love and understanding.
‘That sounds wonderful. Thank you.’
Jonathan dropped to one knee and reached for her left hand. He ran his thumb over the wedding band.
‘Aurelia Harcourt, I’ve asked you this twice already, but now I’m asking you again. My heart belongs to you as fully as any man’s belonged to any woman. Will you make me the happiest man on earth by living with me as my wife? To love and keep.’
‘Jonathan, my darling, nothing in the world would give me greater pleasure.’
Jonathan pulled her to him and held her tightly, his head against hers.
‘I don’t care if you never conceive, or if it takes ten years.’
Aurelia put her finger to his lips, silencing him and looked into his eyes. ‘Jonathan, about that. There’s one last secret I’ve been keeping. I’m with child.’
Jonathan’s face lit with joy. He clutched her hands and stepped away, looking her up and down. ‘You’re sure? And you feel well?’
‘Very well,’ Aurelia said. Her throat tightened to hear the concern in his voice. ‘I didn’t want to tell you until I was sure and until I was further than before. But, yes, I’m carrying your heir.’
‘Our child,’ Jonathan said. He bit his lip and Aurelia realised his eyes were filling with tears. ‘Our family. I like the sound of that, don’t you?’
Aurelia nodded.
‘It sounds perfect,’ she breathed as Jonathan enfolded her in an embrace.
She put her lips against the soft spot beneath his ear and kissed him gently.
‘Completely perfect.’
* * *
If you enjoyed this story, why not check out these other great reads by Elisabeth Hobbes
Beguiled by the Forbidden Knight
A Midsummer Knight’s Kiss
Uncovering the Merchant’s Secret
Keep reading for an excerpt from The Flapper’s Scandalous Elopement by Lauri Robinson.
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The Flapper’s Scandalous Elopement
by Lauri Robinson
Chapter One
1928
The Rooster’s Nest was as dull as an old woman clicking knitting needles. There were no clusters of spiffily dressed men and women spewing chin music and laughing, blocking the way to the powder room. No groups of men wearing work clothes and standing near the bar, telling stories they’d told before but still tossing their heads back with laughter. No couples dancing cheek to cheek, filling the dance floor beneath the bright lights with their stained-glass shades.
Normally she’d be dancing, kicking up her heels and really cutting a rug; however, tonight Jane Dryer was sitting at the bar, tapping one foot to the beat of the music while sipping on a fruit juice cocktail. She let out a sigh while twirling her glass on the varnished wood of the long bar and scanned the room again, hoping the occupants had changed.
They hadn’t. The same two couples sat at tables. One pair, the woman with red hair and the man with a tweed hat, looked like they were arguing, and the other couple, the one that kept leaning closer, whispering, looked shady enough they could be a gangster and his moll. The other tables and a couple of stools at the other end of the bar were occupied by men who, for the most part, were here for the drinking, not dancing or fun.
They might participate if she asked, but not a one of them, with their shirtsleeves rolled up past their elbows, revealing dirty arms, was one she wanted to dance with. She had her standards.
Actually, her sister Betty had set standards that they all three had to abide by during their nights out. Not just who they could dance with, but what they could drink so that none of them ended up blind, and which speakeasies they could visit so they didn’t end up in a raid.
The trouble was, it wasn’t they anymore. For months, she and her sisters, Betty and Patsy, had changed into the flapper outfits they’d sewn in secret, climbed out the bathroom window and visited speakeasies nearly every night.
It had been her idea several months ago for them to sneak out at night, escape the confines of their father’s house. Despite the fact they were all grown women—she was twenty-one, Patsy twenty and Betty twenty-two—they’d been treated like they were all under five, complete with a seven-thirty bedtime every night.
They’d found freedom in sneaking out, and Betty had set down the rules they had to follow to make sure they didn’t get caught. They hadn’t.
Gotten caught, that was, but her sisters were no longer with her on these nightly excursions. They were both married. Three months ago Patsy had married Lane Cox, the owner of the Los Angeles Gazette and the best reporter in the state. Patsy was a reporter now, too, and loving her new life.
A month later, Betty had married Henry Randall, an FBI agent. They were going to have a baby next year, around May, six months from now. Betty was in her glory. She’d always been a mother hen and was already sewing baby clothes.
Jane grinned. Betty would be a wonderful mother, and Jane was happy for her and for Patsy. She was just bored. And this place tonight made her even more bored.
“Dull night.”
The long fringe around the hem of her dark purple dress swished against her calf as she twisted her stool enough to glance over her shoulder at who’d spoken. She then glanced toward the piano and the empty seat behind it. So lost in boredom, she hadn’t realized the music had stopped.
The piano player grasped ahold of the glass the bartender, who was as listless as the rest of the room tonight, slid across the bar.
Twisting her stool back around so she was facing away from him, she took a sip of her drink. In the past she’d talked to the piano players, even sat next to them on their piano bench, but no longer. They couldn’t be trusted.
“No one’s dancing,” he said. “Not even you.”
“No one to dance with,” she said, without turning around. She knew what he looked like. He had a dimple in one cheek when he smiled, and he always rolled his sleeves up to the elbows when he played.
“What about that guy?”
Jane didn’t need to look at him to know he was suggesting the fella at the table near the hallway. She shook her head.
“Why not?”
“He works at the docks.” She’d never spoken to this piano player because, after the last one, she’d made herself a rule. No more piano players. No matter how nice looking or good smelling. This one wasn’t here all that often—he only played a few nights a week—and had only been doing that for a couple of months.
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