There was no preparation for this. For facing his beloved’s formidable brothers. He didn’t think they’d actually shoot him. Though he wasn’t ruling out a mill in the Lynwood gardens. He would allow each of them two hits, though he had a feeling James could pack a punch, courtesy of his time spent on back-breaking labor in America.
But his biggest worry wasn’t violence. He feared losing Win. For even though he’d helped free her of charges, at the end of the day he was naught but a bastard and they were the sons of an earl. He’d learned at an early age that the ton liked to keep itself insular. Outsiders were never truly welcome.
He felt better having Win on his arm as Heskiss led them to the formal sitting room. The butler had been most solicitous as they’d come downstairs, not betraying for an instant whether he knew about their activities of the previous night. But having grown up in a nobleman’s home, Alex knew very well there was little that occurred upstairs which escaped the notice of those belowstairs.
But at least all the Lynwood House staff had been trained well. He detected no smirks or knowing looks. Just the earnest desire to be of service.
Heskiss announced them, then bowed out of the sitting room, closing the door as he went. Alex had been expecting an audience with the three brothers. But he was surprised to see the countess, Miss Wallace and Rose joining them. The three women were smiling broadly. The three brothers looked decidedly grim.
“The two of you must be famished,” said the countess. And it was only then that Alex noticed the plates of food on the sideboard. “Please help yourself. Heskiss said if you wanted anything else, you need only ring.”
“This isn’t a dinner party,” grumbled her husband.
“They both had a very difficult day yesterday,” said Lady Ridgeway. “They could have been killed. It is only natural that they might be a bit peckish today.”
“I should say so,” said Rose. “When I think how brave the two of them were, I come close to swooning.”
Lord James snorted his disbelief. “I hardly think anything could make you swoon, Rose. But go ahead and make excuses for them.”
“Well,” said Miss Wallace quietly. “I would just like to point out the obvious before this goes any further. You and I have been living as husband and wife when everyone knows very well we are not.”
“But you and I are betrothed. And had we gone back to Wiltshire, we would have arranged to have the banns called.”
“Perhaps Rose should leave,” said Nick. “This isn’t a suitable conversation for a young, unmarried lady.”
Alex didn’t know the Emerson family well, but even he knew the Earl of Layton had just made a mistake.
“I am not about to be exiled from this room,” said Rose. “I’m not that young. And Win is my sister. I have a vested interest in her happiness. We all do. I won’t allow my three brothers to bully her or Mr. Lewis.”
Colin snorted. “The only bullying that happens in this family tends to come from the females. What exactly do you think we’re going to do to Mr. Lewis? He did save her from hanging.”
“And I love him,” said Win, finding her voice. “During those years with Pierce I didn’t think it would be possible to ever trust a man again. When I talked to widows I thought how lovely it would be to never have to take another husband. But I don’t feel that way now. Far from it. I look forward to being Mrs. Alexander Lewis. I want all of you to support my marriage. But I’m determined to go through with it, no matter what. As long as he’ll have me.”
“Oh, really?” asked Colin in a neutral tone. “Mr. Lewis, what do you have to say for yourself?”
Alex hated talking about his feelings for Win with anyone. They were too personal, too raw. But he had no choice. “I do not deserve your sister. And I don’t say that just because of my illegitimacy. No one deserves your sister. She is kind, honorable and loyal. She has retained those qualities even after years of being used so cruelly. I love your sister. I always will. And it would be my honor to spend the rest of my life making her feel safe, loved and cherished. However, I am ashamed to say that as of right now, I have no way to support her. You should deny my suit since, other than my savings, I shall have to depend on your charity until I can find honest work.”
“Sharing with family is never charity,” said Colin.
“But I am not family.”
“You certainly will be if you marry Win,” said Nick. “And you shouldn’t start off by arguing with her brothers.”
“You and Win love each other,” said Rose. “That’s all that matters.”
“See, this is the real reason Rose shouldn’t have been here for this conversation,” said Colin. “She’s all but sending them off on their wedding trip and we haven’t had a chance to address the events of last night out in the garden like men should.”
“You cannot have a mill in the garden of a duke!” said the countess. “It simply isn’t done.”
“The Kellingtons had many a fight outside,” said Nick. “They’ll understand.”
“Or perhaps we can skip the mill and see if there’s anything else that needs to be discussed,” said Win.
“Do any of you have questions for me?” asked Alex.
“I do,” said Miss Wallace. “Are you prepared to be peppered with questions from two young girls who’ll want to know everything about you?”
“That is an excellent question,” said Ava.
And one that caught Alex completely off-guard. He’d been prepared for questions about his background, character and prospects. But little girls? “Unfortunately, I have very little experience with children. How can I learn? I wouldn’t want to say the wrong thing.”
“I’m quite sure you won’t,” said Rose. “And you’ll certainly get enough experience talking to them on the way back to Wiltshire. Anna is rather shy, but I’m quite certain Letty will keep you entertained.”
“We should make sure Letty doesn’t plague him with questions,” Colin said to his wife. “Also, Alex – I’m taking the liberty of calling you by your Christian name in lieu of fighting you outside – you should be warned that life at the dower house isn’t exactly luxurious. We have only the two servants, so we help them out as much as we can. The food is good and we’re never hungry, but it’s not what you were used to in a great house. James is going to work as the steward to get the home farm running again and I’m trying to earn a living as an author, which seems to pay slightly less than street sweeper. Rose rented the manor house to some ghastly Americans last year, which helped tremendously. However, you, sir, are marrying into a poor and disreputable family. It shows a remarkable lack of good judgment on your part. But we shan’t hold it against you since Win is in love with you.”
Win slipped her hand into Alex’s. “So we have your blessing?” she said, looking at each member of her family.
“Of course,” said Colin. “Anything to make you happy, love.”
They each fell upon Win with hugs and tears from the ladies. The men all shook Alex’s hand, while the ladies kissed his cheek. Heskiss magically appeared with champagne.
Alex couldn’t believe his great good fortune. In the midst of losing the profession he’d worked so hard to attain, he’d found the love of his life and a family.
He was the most fortunate man in the world.
CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE
The whirlwind started with the arrival of Lord and Lady Riverton, along with their son Robert. The Kellingtons had just begun their own celebration with the Emersons when Heskiss announced them. Lizzie addressed the room at large. “Marcus and I stopped at the archbishop’s office to obtain two special licenses. They’ll need to be filled out, of course. But I figured we should get a start on things.”
“That is an excellent idea,” said Rosalind. “I’ve already been through the hothouse to see which blooms would be good for the ceremony, though I’ll need Irene and Win to make the actual selection, of course.”
“But, a special license?” asked Irene. “How can this be pos
sible?”
“When your husband is a marquess and your brother a duke it’s not all that difficult,” said Lizzie. “I hope you’ll excuse my interference, but my good sisters have been keeping me informed of all the developments. And since it’s so hard to travel with the babies, we knew the weddings had to be here. I hope you didn’t have your hearts set on Wiltshire. But we would all like to share the day with you.”
“I am overwhelmed with gratitude, my lady,” said Alex. “But I’m afraid I cannot begin to repay the amount for the license.”
Lizzie smiled at him. “Please, Mr. Lewis, allow us to do this as a gift. Our two families are joined in friendship.”
“I would feel most hurt if you didn’t accept,” added Rosalind.
“No one hurts my duchess,” said her husband with the final word on the subject. “When shall we have the ceremony?”
So it was with that pronouncement that the ladies, aided by Heskiss and Stemple, set about making preparations for a double wedding to take place the very next morning. Rosalind, Lizzie and Vanessa worked on preparing the house, while the others worked on the wedding gowns. Over Win’s mild objections, they also decided to jettison her black wardrobe. Lizzie and Jane each donated beautiful gowns for the ceremony, claiming they wouldn’t be able to wear them after giving birth. Win rather doubted their excuse, but was grateful for their generosity.
While the ladies were thusly employed, the men mostly drank and talked of horse racing.
Win was disappointed not to spend the night before her wedding with Alex, but she and Rose stayed up talking and planning for the future.
“Tell me, love, do you wish to marry Nate?” Win and Rose were lying next to each other, curled up under the covers as they used to do as girls seeking refuge from a violent father.
“Oh, Win, I do not know what I want from him. I love him, yes. In fact, I fear I might not ever love another. But I don’t want to marry him if he doesn’t love me. It would be quite intolerable. And there is that rakish portion of his personality.”
“True,” said Win, carefully. “But as I look back on recent events, I have to wonder if there aren’t two very different sides to Grayson. The one he shows to the world and the one we witnessed. While I wouldn’t recommend rushing into an understanding with the man, I believe you should keep an open mind. Who knows what the future will bring?”
“I know your future,” said Rose with a sweet smile. “Living happily with Alex and all your babies.”
Win couldn’t suppress her answering grin. “I’m not sure I’m ready for ‘all my babies,’ but I certainly look forward to starting down that road.”
“Win! That was delightfully wicked. And, selfishly, I’m glad you and Alex will be staying at the dower house. Though, I believe this will be the last night I get to spend with you.”
“Love, nothing will ever come between us again. And who knows? There may be nights when Alex has to make do on his own. Because, dearest, you mean the world to me.”
“As you do to me.”
*
The day of the wedding was hectic, though the ladies enjoyed themselves as they helped Win and Irene get ready. Letty, Anna and Violet were to be part of the wedding party, so they busied themselves adjusting ribbons and practicing their walk.
James had asked Irene if she wanted to invite her father and grandmother to the wedding. But she had emphatically refused. If they couldn’t open their hearts to Anna, she had no desire to see them. He’d spent the night before their wedding showing his appreciation for her decision over and over again.
Rosalind entered the suite where the ladies were in the final stages of getting ready.
“You both are beautiful,” she said. “Your respective grooms are quite handsome and, from the looks of it, quite nervous.”
“You don’t think Alex is going to back out, do you?” asked Win.
“Of course not! I believe they’re both wondering what they did to deserve such wonderful wives. My advice is to keep them wondering. Everyone is assembled downstairs, except for Colin and Liam, who are waiting to escort the brides. And I am about to cry, though the ceremony hasn’t even begun.”
A quarter of an hour later, Mariah began playing the harp to the few assembled guests in the ballroom. Grayson was there, as well as Mr. Olson, Sergeant Fisk and his wife, and the veterans who’d helped them. The men had been astonished to receive invitations, but had readily accepted. It had been a few days of great change for them. Grayson and Olson had asked for Lizzie and Melanie’s help in getting the men hired as security guards for the charity the ladies ran for former prostitutes. The men were now living at the house.
It was amazing, thought Win as she passed them, how a person’s life could change so much for the better, especially when it had been grim for so long.
“I’ve never seen you look happier,” said Colin, who was escorting Win to her waiting groom.
“I have my family and a new husband. I cannot imagine why I’d be anything but happy.”
“Good. Because if he makes you unhappy, he’ll answer to us.”
“You don’t have anything to fear,” said Win.
“I know. And that’s the best part.” He kissed her, then let her join hands with her groom.
The ceremony was lovely, though Win remembered little of it later. But there was a touching moment when Irene leaned down to Anna.
“I, Irene Marie Wallace, pledge to be a devoted mother to you. I will feed you and teach you and tend to any skinned knees. I’ll read to you and listen to you and sit with you when you’re sick.”
“You already did that,” said Anna, with a smile.
“But I will do it again if there’s ever a need. I’ll play with you and comfort you. But mostly, I will love you now and forever.”
Anna and Irene hugged as everyone in the room pretended not to cry.
Win spent her time looking at her groom and wishing they were alone. Not that she didn’t love everyone there. But she wanted to savor the intimacy of the moment. Those weren’t just words they were saying. They were vows of the heart and soul.
Finally, the ceremony was over and it was time for the kiss. She’d thought it would be embarrassing to kiss Alex in front of her family, but when it came down to it, it was just life as it was supposed to be.
“Thank you, Win,” he said. “For saving me.”
“You’re the one who saved me from the gallows, sir.”
“And you’re the one who saved me from a hollow life.”
The rest of the day passed as a blur. Their wedding night was shorter than Win would have liked since they were leaving for Wiltshire early the next day. But, thankfully, there was a lifetime of nights ahead.
The farewell between the two families was filled with gratitude and well wishes among the adults, and tears among the children.
“Letty,” said Colin, pulling his crying sister close. “Why don’t you invite Violet and her family to visit us?”
“Can I?” she asked, suddenly much happier.
“Of course.”
“Violet, will you and your family come visit us in Wilshire?”
Violet turned to her parents with a squeal. “May we? Please?”
“Of course,” said her papa.
“When?”
“Why don’t we allow the Emersons the chance to go home first before we immediately chase after them?”
Her mama said, “In the meantime, you can write letters.”
Violet and Letty both cheered, but Anna said plaintively, “I can’t write.”
Irene put her arm around the girl. “I’m certain Letty will read you the letters and help you write your own to Violet.”
“Yes, I will,” promised Letty.
“And Violet,” said Jane. “This will give you the chance to improve your penmanship.”
“Letty and Anna, you won’t mind if I don’t have good penmanship, will you?” asked the girl.
“Of course not!” said Letty.
“
Of course not!” said Anna.
“I think perhaps everyone should practice their penmanship,” said Ava.
None of the girls were all that enthusiastic about the idea, but after more hugs and tears, the Emersons finally set off for Wiltshire in two of Nick’s coaches and one supplied by Grayson, who was on his way home for a visit.
Win and Alex were making the trip with Grayson. Win asked Rose to accompany them in the spacious carriage. She wanted to see the two of them together for herself. It was only at the last minute that Stemple squeezed into the compartment, sitting next to Grayson. Stemple’s bemused wife sat next to her husband.
James, Irene, Anna and Letty were in the second coach, leaving Ava, Colin and Nick in the last one.
“Are you happy to be going home, dearest?” Ava asked her husband.
“I never thought I’d be this happy to go back to that estate. But, yes, I’m quite happy.” He kissed his wife, as Nick tactfully turned to look out the window.
“Have you thought any more about finding a wife?” Colin asked his brother when he’d finished kissing his wife – for now.
“It’s going to be hard to do that when I don’t know if I’ll still be an earl a month from now.”
“The right lady won’t care about a title,” said Ava.
“I guess I’ll soon find out.”
“Can you stay with us when we get home?” asked Colin.
“Only for a day or so. If Simon is successful in divesting me, I want the estate to be in as good a shape as possible, so I can protect as many people as I can. But I may have to move in with you later, if you have the room. And I’m only half in jest.”
“I’m completely serious when I say we’ll always have room for you, brother.”
“Thank you, brother.”
Colin sat back with his wife in his arms. His finances were still precarious. But his life had never been better.
He realized with some clarity that this was now the life of an Emerson. And it wasn’t half bad.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
I walked a fine line with the historical accuracy of England’s legal system, opting more for the “it’s kind of like that” school of thought. My goal was to give you a general idea of what trials and the Old Bailey were like, without making this “Law and Order: Old Bailey.” If you’d like to learn more about it, I highly recommend the website www.oldbaileyonline.org.
Always Have Hope (Emerson Book 3) Page 26
