Does The Earl Love Me

by Jasmine Ashford

  Ernst’s eyebrow raised casually, every bit the Count of Aichelburg. Alicia felt a stab of pride, despite feeling a little cross. Why was he giving Leo such a difficult time?

  “I would have announced myself sooner, but was prevented by matters unforeseeable.”

  “Oh?”

  “They are resolved,” Leo said boldly. “And that is why I come to you today. I come to ask for Alicia's hand in marriage.”

  Alicia felt her heart soar. That was unexpected! Yes, they had discussed it, more than once, and it was the only proper thing to do, but...

  “Leo!”

  “You do?”

  Alicia and her father spoke at once.

  Leo, standing between them, seemed to relax slightly, returning to his arrogant, easy self.

  “I did not think it would surprise either of you. Evidently, I was wrong. So, I repeat my request. I wish to marry your daughter, Alicia.”

  “Leo...” Alicia was laughing, smiling, crying. She walked forward, standing solidly behind him.

  Ernst, standing before them, smiled; a gentle, easy smile.

  “Daughter, I know you are involved in this, but could I ask you to leave us a moment?”

  “Oh.” Alicia blinked. “Of course.”

  It was a strange break of protocol that Leo had raised the subject when she was still there. Under normal circumstances, he would have asked her father's permission before they went anywhere together, and approached him about their marriage privately, perhaps even before he asked Alicia.

  Smiling bemusedly, she drifted from the room.

  In the corridor, she bumped into her mother, who was just coming up from the kitchens.

  Her mother took one look at her daughter's tear-stained face, her shining eyes, her restlessness, and assumed something terrible had happened.

  “What is it, daughter? Are you well?”

  “Oh, Mother!” Alicia smiled, and, sobbing, embraced her. “I am so very well!”

  “I am glad.” Her mother smiled and gently unclasped Alicia's arms, holding her shoulder with one hand while with the other she gently stroked her hair. “What happened?”

  “Leo has asked Father if he can marry me!”

  “Leo has?” Her mother looked surprised. She herself had only met him yesterday – the tall composed young man she had last seen as a small, tousle-haired youth. She had not guessed the depth of their affection.

  “Yes!”

  “And you are happy? You wish to marry him?” Her mother's brow was wrinkled with concern. It was not unusual for cousins to marry, especially in the nobility, but it was still rare.

  “Oh, Mother!” Alicia laughed and embraced the slim woman in another all-enveloping embrace. “I could not be happier! I never thought I would be so happy!”

  Valeria laughed. A tinkling, bright sound, it filled the cold, barren hallway and drifted up the stairs like sunlight.

  Alicia, still crying, laughed, too.

  “Well!” Her mother smiled. “I cannot imagine you will wait for long...”

  “No!” Alicia laughed.

  Her mother ruffled her hair. “So, we shall have to start the planning! You must come to Watney's with me, to order fabrics, and we shall have some dresses drawn up by Mrs. Philips, and...”

  “Oh, yes!” Alicia and her mother walked upstairs together, discussing all the plans they would have to make.

  “Mother, I am so happy!” Alicia sighed again.

  “I know,” Valeria agreed, and kissed her again.

  “I...” Alicia cast a sidelong glance down the long wooden stairs.

  “I know.” Valeria smiled. “Go to him.”

  “Thank you, Mother!”

  Alicia turned, and, still smiling, raced lightly down the stairs.

  In the hallway, she collided with Leo, who had just left the hall.

  “What is it?” Alicia asked, concerned. He looked so grave.

  As he saw her, his face bloomed into a magnificent grin.

  “He said yes!”

  “Hurrah!” Alicia threw her arms around him and kissed his cheek affectionately.

  “Though not without some talking, mind.” Leo ran a hand wearily through his hair. “He read me the book, I tell you! How I must treat you, how I must keep you safe. You cannot doubt one thing, and that is how much he cares about you!”

  “I know.” Alicia looked down and bit her lip. The hardest part about marrying would be the shift, however subtle, in her own family.

  “Well, what is it, dear?” Leo asked, grinning. He kissed her lightly on the chin. “Let us celebrate!”

  “How?” Alicia asked, clasping her hands in excitement.

  “Well.” Leo smiled. “We could go to the tavern in the woods, and...”

  “And order ale and pies!”

  Alicia laughed delightedly, and clapped her hands.

  “Well.” Leo smiled. “Why not?”

  Alicia giggled. Though they were betrothed, it was still improper for her to appear anywhere in public with him unchaperoned. But, their relationship being so unusual, they had done it so many times already. Even so, she bit her lip.

  “Perhaps we could stay here instead, and...”

  “And ask the cook to make us ale and pies!”

  “Well...” Alicia hesitated.

  “My dear Alicia, I am sure the cook would be more than happy to make us pies. Just this once.”

  Alicia giggled. “I think you are right.”

  “Quite.”

  They stayed at home and, for the first time in seven years, Leo sat at the table with his own family. It was an evening much enjoyed by all.

  CHAPTER FORTY-TWO

  WEDDING AT WILDING

  WEDDING AT WILDING

  The bells of the private chapel were ringing. In the depths of winter, the scent of pine and holly, of ivy and conifers filled the hall and drifted up the stairs at Wilding Manor from the hall.

  “I feel so strange... so excited,” Alicia whispered, standing at the top of the steps.

  Valeria, standing beside her, squeezed her hand.

  “I know, my dear.” She smiled, and, turning, wiped away a tear that tracked down her cheek.

  “I can't wait, and yet I don't want this moment to end.”

  “I know.” Valeria squeezed her hand again, voice choked. “You look so beautiful, my daughter.”

  Alicia smiled, and twirled around where she stood. She was wearing a white gown of heavy silk, so dense and fine that it hung heavily, drinking the candlelight and returning it, softened. The dress was long, the bodice close-fitted and high-waisted, the sleeves long and flowing, gathered at the cuffs into thick frills edged with Brussels lace. The neckline was low, and a pearl necklace graced Alicia's pale skin. Her red hair was held up with pearl pins, the curls arranged into an elaborate design that still let some escape and tumble down the back of her long neck. The veil was sheer chiffon, fixed to a wreath studded with berries.

  The mirror, behind her in the bedroom, showed Alicia a petite stranger, wide-eyed and elfin-faced, with a mop of red hair and a compact, curvaceous figure, her delicate features emphasized by the hairstyle and the fine chiffon veil.

  “I can scarce believe that's me,” Alicia said to her mother, eyes wide.

  Her mother laughed. “It is, dear. You are always that beautiful, you know. I think the only one who doesn't know is you.”

  Alicia felt herself about to cry, and looked at the ceiling.

  “Should I go down?” she asked, voice still wobbling, though she smiled.

  “We'd best put the veil on first.” Her mother chuckled softly. “It would be a terrible break to custom else.”

  Alicia laughed, though her voice trembled, and then they were walking down the stairs. She met her father at the foot of the stairs, looking gravely elegant in a white shirt and knee-breeches, with a gray velvet jacket.

  “Father...”

  “Sunny...”

  Neither of them could speak. They walked together the short distance
of the hallway, and all the servants applauded them. Alicia looked around at the shining eyes, the smiling faces, and wanted to cry. She progressed out down the steps, and the short distance through the garden to the family chapel.

  The air in the chapel smelled of beeswax candles, of conifers, of incense and warmth and safety. Alicia breathed deeply, letting the scent calm her racing nerves. Then she took the step over the threshold. That is the first step on my new road. My road beside Leo.

  Leo. She saw his back, facing her at first. He was wearing a deep red velvet coat, the color of wine, and white breeches and hose. His golden hair was brushed smoothly, and caught behind his head in a riband. His tall, lithe body faced away from her. Then he turned.

  His lopsided smile was brighter than the candles.

  “Alicia...” His mouth moved to form her name, though no sound came out.

  Then she was walking down the aisle and taking her place at the altar beside him.

  “Do you, Lady Alicia Eliza von Aichelburg, take thee, Lord Leopold Arthur Grey to be your lawful wedded husband?”

  “I do.” Alicia felt the word in her throat, rising past the lump of unshed tears. She wanted to smile, to weep with happiness. The word came out croaky, and Leo winked at her and squeezed her hand. She smiled.

  “And do you, Lord Leopold Arthur Grey, take thee Lady Alicia Eliza von Aichelburg, to be your lawful wedded wife.”

  “I do.” Leo's voice was very grave and raspy, as if he, too wished to cry. Alicia squeezed his hand, and felt hers squeezed back.

  “I now pronounce you man and wife. You may kiss.”

  His lips were a butterfly, landing on hers. Then, suddenly, he deepened it, his tongue flicking lightly across her rosebud-mouth. She gave a little sigh and leaned against him, and his arms, briefly, linked around her, holding her close. His hand was in her hair.

  Then, just as suddenly, they broke the kiss – aware, perhaps, of the sternness of the Church Father standing only inches away. Their eyes met and laughter, merry and teasing, flared in both of them.

  They walked lightly down the steps.

  The congregation applauded. Lady Valeria was crying, tears rolling silently down her cheeks. She embraced Alicia, the tears becoming a flood, though she smiled through them.

  The look that passed between Alicia and Ernst said worlds of words: love, and sorrow, and farewell. They held hands, fiercely, and then unclasped them. Alicia turned away, eyes wet with tears.

  Then Henriette, laughing and crying at once, resplendent in a pale-yellow gown with pearls in her hair, was embracing her.

  “I am so happy...”

  “I am so glad you are here!”

  As Alicia and Henriette held each other at arm's length, laughing and crying, Alicia felt a gentle hand on her shoulder.

  Leo, behind her, smiled gently, eyes sparkling.

  “I should go.” Alicia smiled to Henriette. “See you at the ball, later.”

  “Yes!”

  The two clasped hands, and then Alicia and Leo were walking down the aisle and out of the chapel, to the steps.

  A crowd of villagers had assembled, and cries and applause echoed out as they appeared on the front steps.

  “Congratulations!”

  “Blessings on your wedding!”

  “Bless you, my lady!”

  Alicia, eyes blinded with tears, grin wide, walked beside Leo to the waiting open carriage, ducking the nuts and dried petals that were thrown as blessings.

  As she stood in the carriage beside Leo, who had the customary coins to throw, she scanned the crowd.

  There at the back was Annette, and behind her, tall and silent, was Silas. As she looked, he raised his hat, grin broad. Then he shuffled to the back of the crowd, keeping his gaze down.

  Alicia raised her hand in salute, and Annette waved, tears streaming down her face.

  Then the carriage was moving, and Alicia was sitting down, hand clutching her veil, which streamed back in the wind.

  “I am so happy,” she whispered.

  “So am I,” he replied.

  They kissed.

  Then they leaned back, hand in hand, to enjoy the short but exhilarating ride, to Wilding.

  EPILOGUE

  The wind was stiff, cracking in the rigging as the ship rose and lifted, swayed by the powerful waves.

  Alicia, standing on the deck, with Leo behind her, his arms wrapped firmly around her laughed in delight.

  “Land!” She grinned, and pointed. She felt as excited as a child. “Is that not land, Leo?” she asked, pointing out across the deck.

  Leo, delighted to see her smile, agreed. “Yes, my dear, that is the German coastline.”

  “Oh!” she breathed, and clapped her hands. Leo, smiling at her delight, kissed her hair.

  The ship rode the waves, rising and falling, and the two, laughing, were jostled together, trying to keep their balance.

  “I think we will make land by nightfall,” Leo said, reaching behind Alicia to check his pocket-watch.

  “We will?” Alicia turned around to face him, face a picture of delight.

  “I think so,” Leo demurred. “I shall go and ask the captain.” He kissed her brow and walked briskly below deck.

  Alicia, left on deck, watched the shore approaching, stomach fluttering with awed excitement. There it was, the coast of Germany! The place she had longed, those months ago, to visit to see Leo.

  The wind lifted her hair, a cold breath of spring. She smiled. How could so much have changed, in a few months? Then, she had not even known him!

  It was strange to think that. What she felt for Leo had broadened, deepened and strengthened. From the strange excitement she had felt in his presence as a child had grown a deep, passionate enduring love. Alicia watched as Leo walked lightly across the deck, the captain at his side. He saw her and smiled. They were still quite far from her, the wind snatching their words, and Alicia studied her new husband, discreetly, smiling her love.

  The dye had washed out of his hair now, or grown out, leaving it its usual shade of gold. She watched his easy gait on the deck, his lively confidence.

  “I love you,” she whispered under her breath. She looked across at the sea a moment, distracted by a passing bird, and when she looked back, he was standing beside her.

  “I love you, too,” he whispered.

  THANK YOU

  for reading my book and

  I hope you have enjoyed this story as well.

  “An Earl To Remember” is a standalone novel with at least 300 pages.

  If you have enjoyed reading this book (Does The Earl Love Me) so far, I believe you will be interested in checking out “An Earl To Remember”.

  Can desires of the heart win against the expectations of society…?

  Torn between social expectations and her heart’s desire, Lady Ada Drosty wonders if the Earl of Westmeath can dispel his demons to claim her love, or if the Duke of Norwich hides a dangerous obsession that cannot be defeated.

  * * *

  Can desires of the heart win against the expectations of society…?

  A Last Chance at Love…

  Beautiful and shy Lady Ada Drosty, the younger sister of the Earl of Darbyshire, enjoys the more sedate life of reading and riding in the woods of the remote Yorkshire Downs. Despite her enjoyment for her simple life, Ada does ask herself if she is truly content without the prospect of love. Until she finds herself thrust into society in a bid by her brother. An attempt to find her a husband…

  A Freighting Prospect…

  Almost immediately drawing the attention of Oscar Ridlington, the Duke of Norwich, Ada is well aware that the handsome, wealthy Duke would be a dazzling match, at least to the unsuspecting eye. But it doesn’t take long for her to see that the Duke of Norwich is a more the simply disagreeable. He is almost cruel. And that fact frightens her more than being alone…

  A Dark Past…

  Haunted by a life of violence and bloodshed, Liam Donnelly, Earl of Westmeath, be
lieves himself unworthy of love, especially the love of someone as pure-hearted as Ada Drosty. But one look at the scarred, shy Earl and Ada is at a loss to prevent him from stealing her heart. Caught between societal expectations and her heart's desires, Ada wonders if Liam can face his inner conflict and dispel his demons to claim her love… or if the duke’s unstable nature will soon become a dangerous obsession….

  Can Ada find the courage to marry the man she loves?

  Or will the Earl of Westmeath's self-hate destroy any chance they have at happiness?

  * * *

  I have enclosed a preview of “An Earl To Remember”.

  Check it out below…

  It is coming and will be at $0.99 (around 250 pages) for a limited time.

  COMING SOON…

  * * *

  CHAPTER ONE

  UNEXPECTED MEETING

  The forest bordering the estate was dark – it was just over an hour before dinner, and the sun was starting to set. Ada rode cautiously, starting to wonder if she had been right in her choice to go out.

  Blanche's footfalls on the leaves were muted, and she could hear her breath in the silence. The mist was just hanging on the edges of the trees, settling in, and Ada shivered, feeling scared. There were probably wolves in these woods.

  “Blanche?” Ada said loudly to her horse. “Can you smell any wolves?”

  Blanche snorted, but carried on. Ada was not too sure if horses could smell wolves or not, but decided to trust Blanche's instincts for the moment. They rode deeper into the woodland. Ada was not sure if the path they were on went anywhere. Perhaps we should turn back.

  Suddenly, Ada heard a noise.

  “What was that?”

  She hung onto the pommel of her saddle, tense. Then she heard it again. There were voices ahead.

  She listened carefully. It could easily be brigands. These woods, as Lady Alicia always told her, were not safe.