Cecilia’s father chuckled uncomfortably as he said this, and Cecilia smiled at him kindly. He means well, I must not forget that.
“And how is Mrs. Williams?” Cecilia asked, “I suppose she is just pleased to know that I am married in spite of not knowing my way around the kitchen.”
To Cecilia’s great surprise, her father blushed and looked away from her momentarily at this question. Then he cleared his throat and spoke once again, “Yes, well…Mrs. Williams is quite well,” he said, with a childlike smile. “She, um…sends her love to you.”
Cecilia smiled as well, she was unsure of what feelings might be brewing between her father and his housekeeper, but he seemed happy and that made her happy too.
“I am glad to hear that she is well,” Cecilia said. “Please send her my love in return.”
* * *
In addition to the pieces that her father had built for the Duke and Duchess of Westfield, Cecilia had also worked with Isobel to convert one of the home’s bedrooms into a small pharmacy in which she could work on her herbal remedies. She had built the work table and benches for that room herself.
There was no reason that her father and Davey could not have done that work as well, but Cecilia enjoyed the physical act of building things, as well as designing. And she enjoyed the sense of building something together with Isobel.
Cecilia had met many noble ladies in the year that she had been a Marchioness. For the most part they had been more welcoming to her than she had expected, but she had very little in common with most of them. Her friendship with Isobel was different. They understood each other in ways that many of their other acquaintances could not.
The two young women were united in their love for Nicholas, but they also shared some unconventional views. They both loved their husbands and enjoyed married life, but they were passionate about their work in other areas, as well.
* * *
Today, Cecilia was working on a project of her own in the small workshop area she had set up in one of the townhouse’s bedrooms. Nicholas had gone off to meet up with some of his school friends for the day and would be home later that evening.
Nicholas and Cecilia spent most of their days together, walking around the city, visiting the lending library, or simply staying at home. Sometimes they spent hours talking, and sometimes to read or sat together in companionable silence.
They had not gotten tired of one another’s company in a year, and Cecilia felt more sure with each passing day that they never would. Cecilia continued to learn new things about her husband with each passing day, and she found that she learned new things about herself too. Nicholas asked her opinions about subjects she had never before considered.
Cecilia found that she was keen to learn more about national politics and had opinions about these matters when she did. She usually agreed with her husband, but sometimes their perspectives differed, and when they did, they were able to discuss their differences respectfully.
Because of this, when they did spend a day apart, Cecilia was able to enjoy her solitude, knowing that she would have Nicholas back home with her soon.
Cecilia worked near the window, allowing the natural light to shine on the raw wood she was sanding. She measured each piece carefully, and then measured it again before cutting it to size. As she sanded the pieces and shaped them carefully so that they would fit together perfectly, Cecilia reflected on her work and her life.
Her entire life had been unconventional. She was the daughter of a skilled carpenter, she had worked in a man’s profession from the time she was a child, and now she was a Marchioness. Surely no one could have predicted how her life had turned out, and yet, it was the most perfect life she could imagine.
She smiled to herself as she continued to work, and hummed a familiar tune. She was almost certain that it was a song her mother had sang to her as a child, but she could not remember the words. It made no matter, the melody was soothing, even if she was only humming.
Several hours later, Nicholas returned home from his meeting with his friends.
“Cecilia?” he called, as he entered the house. “Where are you, darling?”
“In here!” Cecilia called out, inviting him to join her in the workshop. After a minute, he did exactly that. Even after a year of marriage, Cecilia still caught her breath at the sight of her husband.
“Ah, still at work?” Nicholas asked, with a good-natured laugh. “Shall I speak to Westfield? He is working you to the bone, all hours of the day and night!”
“I am not working for the Duke of Westfield right now,” Cecilia said, with a shy smile, “this is for us.”
“For us?” Nicholas asked, sounding confused. “What more could we possibly need?”
“Well,” Cecilia said, looking up at him earnestly, “I am building a cradle.”
“A…cradle…?” Nicholas asked, once again sounding confused, though his face indicated the beginnings of comprehension.
“Yes, a cradle,” Cecilia laughed. “I expect that we shall need one in five or six months.”
“Cecilia,” Nicholas replied, a smile spreading across his beautiful face, “are you saying what I believe you are saying?”
Cecilia smiled at him warmly, placing one hand on her belly, and then nodded.
Nicholas rushed forward, taking Cecilia in his arms. He was laughing and crying at the same time, and he embraced her tightly. “Oh Cecilia, this is wonderful news!”
Building a cradle had been unexpectedly difficult for Cecilia. She enjoyed the act of designing and building something for her own home—for the child she already loved more than she had known was possible. She also could not help but think of the cradle she had built for her doll so many years ago.
Archie had been by her side as she made the cradle. He had been jealous that she was allowed to work on something she wanted to build, which he was being directed by her father. He had also teased her when the cradle had been unstable and unable to rock properly. At the time it had felt like the lighthearted teasing of a brother.
So many of Cecilia’s memories were tainted now. Archie had been present for some of the most important moments of her life. It was impossible not to think of him from time to time. And when Cecilia thought of him, she could not help but think of the way in which he had deceived her—how he had hurt her, tied her up, and attempted to marry her against her will.
Sometimes she thought about what might have happened to her if Nicholas had not rescued her in time. It did no good to think this way, and Cecilia knew it, but it was not always easy to stop, once she started. Luckily, doing something active usually helped, so she focused on building and was able to shift her thoughts away from Archie.
She had built the first cradle shortly after her mother died, for a doll that her mother had given to her. Being with child made her long for her own mother even more than usual. Luckily, she had her mother-in-law. The relationship between them had been one of the most pleasant surprises of her married life.
Over the past year, Cecilia’s relationship with the Duchess of Huxley had improved greatly. The Duchess was still not warm or affectionate with Cecilia, but she seemed to have accepted that Cecilia made her son happy, and that this was the most important thing.
Cecilia was glad this was the case, because it made life easier for everyone in general if they were on good terms. She was also happy about it, because her own mother was no longer alive to help her learn to be a mother herself. Cecilia had little experience with babies. They would hire a nurse and then a nanny, of course, but Cecilia planned to be very involved in her child’s upbringing.
The Duchess of Huxley was an imperfect example of motherhood, but she had raised two children who Cecilia loved very much, so she must have done something correctly. All in all, Cecilia felt that having her mother-in-law as an example of how to be a parent was better than having no role model at all.
Cecilia thought now about her relationship with the Duchess of Huxley, and she wondered if Nicholas
might have been feeling something similar, for he said, “Perhaps we should invite my mother to come and stay with us for a time, when the baby arrives. Then she would be able to help us adjust to parenthood.”
A year ago, Cecilia would have been horrified by this suggestion, but now she agreed to it readily. She wanted her child to grow up surrounded by family, and she felt remarkably lucky to have that chance.
Nicholas leaned in and kissed Cecilia gently on the lips. She returned his gentle kiss with a passionate one, pressing her body against his and running her hands up and down his back.
Nicholas moaned as she continued to kiss him. “Is it safe to make love while you are in such a delicate condition?”
“Isobel tells me that it is perfectly safe!” Cecilia said, then continued to kiss him deeply.
“You asked my sister about this?” Nicholas asked, sounding scandalized.
“Of course!” Cecilia said. “She has studied midwifery and herbal medicine. She would know the answer better than anyone else I might have asked.”
“Hmmm…” Nicholas said skeptically, “I am not sure how I ought to feel about my wife and my sister discussing love making.”
“Perhaps you should focus on the act of love making itself, rather than the conversation your sister and I had when you were not present.”
“I suppose you are right about that, darling,” he said, his voice sounding husky with desire.
Nicholas took Cecilia by the hand and led her out of the workshop and into their bedroom. Cecilia smiled and followed her husband, feeling that all was right with the world.
The End?
Extended Epilogue
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Lusting for the Broken Earl
About the Book
He showed her his scars and, in return, he let her pretend that she had none...
Esther Nott, daughter of the Duke of Aishling, has dedicated herself to a life of charity rather than marriage. Having witnessed people’s capacity for deceit, she hides behind the walls she has built around herself to protect her virtue from dishonourable intentions.
Allan Blaksley’s past as a soldier has left its marks on both his body and soul. With a long scar across his back that he considers hideous, the broken Earl of Wiltshire is constantly reminded of his failures.
But despite their personal obstacles, both Esther and Allan manage to enter each other’s hearts…
Until a mysterious woman suddenly appears claiming that Allan is the father of her child. Unbeknownst to them, even though the woman’s motives seem purely greedy and materialistic, she will be proved to be only a puppet.
A puppet carrying out someone else’s well-planned scheme...
Chapter 1
The Earl of Wiltshire was having a flashback. Allan realized he was having it, yet it was never easy for him to come back to reality. After fighting in the Battle of Waterloo and seeing the terrors of war, his entire life was shaken.
Allan struggled against the visions in his head. He could hear the rattling echoes of muskets and almost feel the vibration from the ground as he flashed back to cannons going off in the distance.
“My Lord?”
The voice brought Allan back quickly to the sitting room, where he had been lounging in the afternoon and staring out of the window. He turned towards the sound. It was his butler, Clark. He was a tall, thin man, who was beginning to grey, though his hair was full and thick. He had worked for Allan for many years.
“Ah, Clark, you caught me off guard,” said Allan.
“You seemed deep in thought, My Lord,” replied Clark, who was used to finding his employer staring off into space since he returned from the Napoleonic Wars. The butler walked across the room to stand by Allan.
“It’s simply a beautiful day, and I was taking it all in,” explained Allan, a bit embarrassed that he had obviously been caught in the middle of one of his flashbacks.
“Yes, it certainly is,” agreed Clark. “I have a letter for you, My Lord.” The butler presented a silver tray to Allan with the letter, which had the familiar crest of his cousin, the Edward, Duke of Daftwood, stamped into the wax seal.
“Thank you, Clark,” Allan said, as he pulled open the letter and began to read it. Edward was getting married, and he was inviting Allan to the wedding celebrations.
Allan looked at Clark and forced a smile. “It seems my cousin is to marry. Another joyous occasion for my family.” The truth was, though Allan loved his family, including his cousin Edward, since his time at war he seemed to have lost the spirit and charm that he had been known for most of his life. Some would even say he was a shadow of the man he used to be.
“That is wonderful, My Lord,” replied Clark. “We will begin preparing for your travels.”
“Thank you, Clark,” said Allan. “The wedding will be in a week’s time,” he added, glancing back at the letter. I am confident that I will never marry.
Allan sighed, and stood from the chair he was sitting in. “Weddings certainly are wonderful occasions, Clark, and I am hoping that attending will be a perfect opportunity to spend time with my family. I have missed them.”
“Yes, My Lord,” replied the butler as he nodded. “It has been a long time since you have seen most of them.”
Since Allan’s father had passed, and he had become the Earl of Wiltshire, he hadn’t involved himself in family affairs. “Very true. I am happy for my cousin, though, and I would be honored to attend the wedding celebration.”
“Very good, My Lord,” said Clark with a nod. “Do you require anything else?”
“No, no,” said Allan waving the man away. “I don’t require a single thing. I’m happy for my health today and now I have time with my family to look forward to.”
“Thank you, My Lord,” replied Clark. He then bowed and walked out of the sitting room, leaving Allan alone once again.
Allan sat back into the chair and looked out of the window. The day was beautiful, as he had mentioned to his butler, and the sun was shining through the glass panes. The rays warmed his pale skin, and he could imagine that his ginger hair was looking its brightest. He was a handsome man with broad shoulders. He was tall and certainly looked as if he would make a good addition to the British Army.
He was often lonely while at the estate. Though he had many members of staff, some he greatly trusted, it would be nice to have more time with friends and family. He had a lot of responsibilities as Earl, which also made the free time he had very precious, indeed.
The way the sun was shining into the room reminded Allan of the moment he really awoke after his battle injury. He had been caught up in an artillery fight and one of the blasts hurled him several feet through the air, causing several serious injuries, including a terrible laceration from the top of his left shoulder and down his entire back until it ended at the right side of his lower back near his hip. It was hideous, at best.
Every time he thought back to that point in his life, he could never quite separate reality from his dreams. He was given opium for his intense pain, and because of that, his weeks of recovery were cloudy in his memory. But the one thing he remembered clearly was the first time he felt the sun on his face in his sickbed, with Bridget Crampton leaning over him.
Bridget’s dark blonde hair and dark eyes were illuminated by the light of the sun, and her smile brought him a sense of relief, as it would any soldier who had been recovering from war injuries. He found Bridget to be quite attractive, and he suspected the same feelings from her.
Over the weeks, Bridget had nursed him back to health in the makeshift military clinic, though much of their
time together was still cloudy to Allan, simply because of the medications he was taking for pain. She was the unmarried daughter of the physician who was caring for Allan, and because there were so many injured soldiers, she was helping to lessen the load.
He did remember pieces of their interactions and looked back on those memories fondly…though Allan often wondered if those things actually happened or if it was simply a trick of the mind due to the opium.
Once again, Allan brought himself back to the present and glanced at the clock, which hung against the wall of the sitting room. He had some obligations to attend to this afternoon, and he also wanted to see his friend, Oliver Blackmore, an officer in the British Army he had met during his military days, who had become Allan’s best friend. Oliver was a bit older than Allan, and his years in the military had aged him beyond his years. He was balding and imposing, and for those who didn’t know him, he was intimidating. However, he had very kind eyes, and Allan found friendship in them each time they interacted.
Allan stood up and the footman standing near the door that led out of the room opened it for him as he approached. Clark was standing outside of the door, and Allan turned to him and said “Clark, I need to see General Blackmore. Please summon him when you can. It’s nothing important, more of a social visit. Make sure he knows that.”
The Marquess In Her Bed (Steamy Historical Regency) Page 27
