by Meara Platt
Honey sat beside Lady Wycke. Dora sat on her other side. They ate, helped Lady Wycke with her meal, the task slow and clearly beyond Tom’s patience, but their talk had helped, and he did not appear quite as tortured as before.
When they reached London, Tom ordered his driver to stop at his townhouse to drop his mother and Dora first. Honey waited while he took a moment to settle her in her quarters and alert his staff. Within fifteen minutes, he’d accomplished what he needed and strode back out. “Give me another moment,” he said, leading his horse to the mews behind his home to hand him over to one of the grooms who took care of the row of stables.
He returned quickly and hopped in the carriage with her. “I hope you don’t mind. I wanted to be free to talk to your aunt and uncle about our plans. You’ll want to let your sister know, of course.”
She laughed. “All of London will know of our betrothal within a matter of minutes.”
“Right, that.” He arched an eyebrow. “Do you think we might ask them to keep it quiet. Just spread the news among the family. Our betrothal will last only a few hours. I would like us married by tomorrow.”
“You’ve been saying this, but I didn’t realize you meant it. Why the rush?” She chuckled. “Other than the fear your spleen will explode if you must wait longer to have me in your bed.”
“Isn’t it reason enough? Why must I deprive myself of your nurturing arms?” His expression turned serious a moment later. “If my mother should…pass…before we are married, it could be months before we can hold even a quiet ceremony. Besides my obvious lusting desires, I am concerned about this secret of yours. If it ever should get out, I want us facing the gossip and ensuing scandal together as husband and wife. My name and title will offer you protection. If anyone dares offend you, they will have to deal with me.”
She nodded, but fear for herself was one of the lesser reasons. She wanted to do this because she loved him, and he needed her beside him at this particular moment. Also, they’d coupled, and although it was unlikely that one mere night would lead to her conceiving a child, it was quite possible.
If they had to wait to marry and she began to show… Tom did not need more scandal attached to his name. “Poor, Aunt Sophie. Perhaps one of my Yorkshire cousins will have a traditional ceremony instead of the rushed, patched up affairs that have become the standard for Farthingale weddings lately.”
“Perhaps, but where would be the fun in that? I think I’d dash my head against the wall if I had to endure a year of wedding planning. And wait a year to get the woman I loved into my bed? Having to wait even one more night is an impossible task.”
Fortunately, Honey’s aunt and uncle were at home when their carriage arrived on Chipping Way. Tom barely had time to hand her down before Farthingales began to emerge from every house on their side of the quiet street. “Oh, no,” she moaned, knowing they would never have privacy now.
Honey’s sister, Belle, and their cousin, Violet, tore out from Number One, Chipping Way. “What a coincidence,” Violet said, giving Honey a hug. “Your sister just happened to be visiting me when we noticed Lord Wycke’s carriage roll down the street.”
Of course, it was utter rubbish. They knew she was returning today. They must have had their noses to the window for hours waiting for just this coincidental moment.
Her cousin, Laurel, and Lady Dayne appeared, too. “I just happened to be visiting Graelem’s grandmother when—”
“When you happened to notice Lord Wycke’s carriage,” Honey said with a laugh, grinning at Lady Dayne, who hadn’t moved that fast in as long as Honey could remember.
“Yes, how did you know?” Laurel hugged her.
More cousins trickled out of Number Three, as well as the Farthingale patriarch and matriarch, John and Sophie. Honey turned to Tom in dismay. “So much for a quiet moment.”
He did not seem at all put out. “As I mentioned when we started the journey, my life has been too dull lately. Since everyone is conveniently here, we may as well make the announcement.”
Her eyes widened in alarm. “No, Tom. They can’t keep secrets.”
Her Uncle John groaned. “Tom, is it?”
Honey blushed.
Tom shook his outstretched hand. “Yes, sir. I plan to obtain the special license today and marry Honey tomorrow.”
One would think the queen had come to tea there was such a fuss made. But after the initial squeals, shrieks, and hugs were done, Honey followed her aunt, uncle, and Tom into her uncle’s study. But before entering, she turned to her sister and cousins with a frown. “Please keep this quiet. I’ll explain later, but word must not spread beyond the family.”
She held out little hope, for her family was too large. Also considered within that definition were the families of their husbands. Camerons, Braydens, Emorys, and Daynes. Their circle numbered in the hundreds.
“I’m coming in with you,” Belle said. “Sisterly privilege. You can’t keep me out.”
“Very well.” She wasn’t going to win this argument, nor did she really mind having Belle by her side since they’d both been damaged by their parents’ horrid secret, and she knew how much Belle worried over her.
Her aunt and uncle hadn’t been told their secret, nor did she wish to tell them now. Perhaps it wasn’t fair to keep them in the dark, for they’d been nothing but generous with the entire family and were going to host her wedding.
But she wanted to bury the painful secret in the deepest recesses of her mind and quickly forget it.
She entered the study behind Belle and closed the door. They both took seats beside her aunt on the tufted leather sofa. Tom remained standing next to her. “Is there a reason for this…haste?” her uncle asked, assuming the chair behind his desk.
“Yes, but it has to do with my mother’s health. She isn’t well. Honey will tell you more about it later.”
Her aunt cast him a sympathetic gaze. “Oh, I’m so sorry, Lord Wycke.”
“Thank you.” He nodded. “It is something I will need to consult your brother about, Mr. Farthingale. I’ve heard of George, of course. He’s very well respected. I ought to have called him in sooner, but she didn’t seem to be that bad at first. This weekend was a terrible strain. I hate to think I worsened matters by bringing her to our country estate.”
“George will be stopping by shortly. Have a drink with us in the meanwhile, and we’ll discuss these wedding arrangements. Since Honey’s parents are in Oxford and you feel certain there is no time to spare, I’ll act on their behalf.”
“And I’ll ring for Pruitt to roll in a cart,” Sophie said. “You must be hungry, as well, after your journey.” After summoning the family butler, she sat back down and took Honey’s hand. “I’ve had more hastily planned ceremonies here than I can count. That is, unless you prefer to hold the wedding elsewhere, my lord.”
“No, I’d be indebted if you took over the planning and made all the arrangements, Mrs. Farthingale. Charge all the expenses to me. I insist on it. You are doing me an enormous favor. I’d be at a loss where to even start. Just tell me where and when to show up. I’ll be there.”
“Tomorrow, you say?”
Honey nodded, “If Lord Wycke can obtain the special license.”
“I’ll get it today, no worries. Having one of the oldest titles in England has its privileges.”
Her aunt smiled. “You’ll have your wedding tomorrow, my dear. Late afternoon, if that is all right with both of you.” She shot to her feet. “Mrs. Mayhew will have my head for this. She and her poor maids will have their work cut out for them.”
Belle rose as well. “Let me know if there’s anything you need. Finn and I will help. That is, our cook and the rest of our staff will assist yours. We can send over maids and footmen. Scullery maids. Our larder is fully stocked because we’ve had to do quite a bit of entertaining recently. I think Finn will go into hiding if he has to sit through yet another dinner party with those stodgy aristocrats. But you are obviously the best of them, Lord
Wycke.” She gave him a heartfelt hug. “Truly, the best of men.”
She followed Sophie out of the study, the two of them already chattering about logistical plans for the hastily organized affair.
Honey rose and turned to Tom. “I had better go help them, too. I’ll leave you gentlemen to discuss the betrothal details and will let Pruitt know to send Uncle George to you as soon as he arrives.” She turned on her heels. “Belle, wait!”
Then she turned back and threw herself into Tom’s arms. “You truly are the best of men. I love you.” She gasped, realizing she’d let that slip in front of her uncle. “Oh.”
Tom laughed and kissed her on the cheek. “I love you, too. I’m sure your uncle figured as much the moment my carriage rolled onto Chipping Way to first pick you up.”
Her uncle ran a hand through his hair. “Sophie knew. Women have a way of sensing these things. I just try to keep my head low and hide in my study whenever I can. Well, congratulations to the pair of you. My lord, I doubt you have any idea what you are getting into by marrying into this family. As chaotic as it may appear, all I can say is that you will know happiness beyond measure.”
Tom was still smiling at her as he said, “I know, Mr. Farthingale. I felt it the moment I set eyes on her. Ours is a love match.”
Her uncle chuckled. “I suspected as much. You have that brains-turned-to-pudding look about you.”
Honey’s eyes widened in surprise. “Uncle John!”
“Lord Wycke knows this is true. Am I not the worst offender? Your aunt has had my heart from the moment I first set eyes on her. I’d climb mountains on the moon for her. So, I know the feeling very well.”
“Oh, dear,” Honey teased. “My uncle will drive a hard bargain over the betrothal contract now that he realizes how much you love me. Stand firm. Do not give away more than is reasonable.”
“Get out of here, Honey,” her uncle said with mock severity. “I hope you are a better negotiator when it comes to your perfume products.”
She laughed. “Of course, I am. I don’t love my dealers and distributors anywhere near as much as I love Lord Wycke. Although there was a charming older gentleman at Harrington’s—”
“Out!” he said with a grin. “I promise not to fleece him…not too badly.”
Honey told Pruitt about sending Uncle George to the study and was still smiling as she made her way to the kitchen when one of her cousins stopped her. Holly was her widowed cousin, only a few months older, but she’d tragically lost her husband.
Honey felt a twinge of remorse that she should be so happy when Holly had to be feeling the loss of her love. “I was going to help Aunt Sophie and Belle in planning the wedding breakfast,” Honey said. “It will really be more of a wedding supper since we’re marrying in the afternoon. I hope this will not be too difficult for you.”
“You marrying and I having lost a husband? Nonsense.” Holly gave her a hug. “I’m so happy for you. I will admit, I first thought Joshua Brayden was meant for you until you spoke Lord Wycke’s name. I heard the slight melt in your voice and saw how your eyes lit up.”
“Oh, dear. Was I that obvious?”
“Yes, but only to me. I doubt Belle or my sisters picked up on the nuances. I assume he knows the secret.”
Honey nodded.
“I was sure you’d tell him before allowing him to propose to you. He must be an excellent man.”
“Yes, he is quite wonderful.”
“Of course, he is. Or else you wouldn’t be marrying him.” Holly pursed her lips. “I think Joshua would have married you if you hadn’t found Lord Wycke. These Braydens are quite honorable. And protective of those they love. Finn certainly was when it came to Belle. Joshua has those same protective instincts. It’s rather nice, really. But don’t tell him I said so, or he’ll be even more insufferable than he is already.”
Honey stifled a smile. Her cousin, who was never getting married again, had just mentioned Joshua Brayden three times in less than a minute. Well, if that wasn’t a sign of who should get The Book of Love next, she didn’t know what was. “Shall we see if we can help Aunt Sophie?”
Holly nodded. “I’d love to. Mine wasn’t much of a wedding. But yours will be the loveliest. Violet’s ceremony was held right here in the garden. Yours will be as well, I imagine. It’s the perfect spot. In the sunshine, surrounded by flowers. Shaded by graceful trees. Loving family all around you. I wish I’d had that.”
Honey held her breath, for Holly had never spoken of her wedding or the loss of her husband until now.
“My wedding took place in the midst of a downpour. My gown was soaked by the time we entered the church. My sisters had helped me fashion my hair, but it was a wet jumble as I stood beside the altar and pledged my heart. His family wasn’t pleased. His mother and father refused to attend at first. But they did, quite reluctantly. Neither of them cracked a smile or shed a single joyful tear throughout the ceremony.”
“Oh, Holly! I’m so sorry.”
Her cousin shook her head as though to dismiss those unpleasant memories. “No, don’t be. I was young and foolish. Perhaps I should have taken the torrential rain as a bad omen. But it does not diminish my happiness for you. For all of my cousins who have found true love.”
She locked her arm in Honey’s. “Aunt Sophie can work miracles in under a day, but I’m sure she’ll be glad for our help.”
Oh, Holly was definitely getting The Book of Love next.
Could the signs be any clearer?
Chapter Fifteen
The day was filled with sunshine and a light, warm breeze blew through the garden as Honey stood beside Tom under a bower of roses, struggling to hold back her tears of joy. “You look beautiful,” he said, smiling down at her.
She was dressed in a pale yellow silk gown and had jeweled pins in the shape of honeysuckle flowers in her hair that had been swept back in a gentle wave and intricately braided in a twist at the back.
He looked magnificent, his love reflected in the splendid green pools of his eyes and in the affectionate smile that would not leave his face.
She heard sniffles and knew her cousins were crying happy tears for her.
Since Lily was still in town, she was able to be here for the wedding, along with her husband, Ewan, and his grandfather, the powerful Duke of Lotheil. Seated beside the crusty duke was Ewan’s dog, Jasper.
As the ceremony began, Jasper trotted over to Tom and remained quietly beside him throughout their exchange of vows. Tom gave Jasper a quick scratch behind the ears to acknowledge him and made no move to nudge him away.
Honey lost her struggle to hold back tears. It was as though Jasper knew Tom needed someone by his side. When the minister tried to shoo him away, Honey stopped him. “No. He’s family.”
This day was a happy one for both of them, but she knew their happiness could not be complete. Tom’s mother had not recovered. It turned out that her Uncle George, a man capable of working medical miracles, could do little to help her.
For this reason, there would be no grand tour for their honeymoon.
They would return to the Wycke townhouse this evening, not even one night spent away. She had insisted on it, although perhaps it wasn’t all that wise. Even though the earl’s quarters were quite separate and apart from the rest of the bedrooms, it was not far enough away to allow Tom to forget his burdens and responsibilities.
Yet, how could they travel now?
“Do you, Honeysuckle Farthingale, take…”
Oh, drat! Did the minister have to shout her name for one and all to hear? “I do,” she said, casting the poor man a murderous frown.
Tom chuckled.
So did her sister and cousins.
Jasper wagged his tail, and his breathy, drooling pants sounded remarkably like laughter as well. She sighed. “Et tu, Jasper?”
Everyone in the family adored the loveable sheepdog, never more so than now. He would not leave Tom’s side throughout the entire wedding celebration, as thoug
h knowing Tom had no one else with him. Not his sister, not his mother, and not any cousins who were spread all over England and could not possibly reach London in time.
But Tom had Jasper.
Somehow, his well-behaved presence made everything all right.
As the hour grew late, they returned to Tom’s house…hers now, too. She offered no resistance when he swept her into his arms and carried her over the threshold once his butler opened the door to them. “Good evening, my lord. My lady.”
“Good evening, Winwood.” He strode past the man and marched up the stairs with her still in his arms.
“What will your staff think?” she whispered in his ear.
He kissed her cheek. “That I am a man in love with his wife. Shocking, isn’t it?”
She sighed. “Goodness, I just realized.”
He paused as he was about to open the door to his bedchamber. “What, love?”
“You’re an earl.”
He strode in and shoved the door closed with his shoulder. “So I’ve been told.”
“That means I am a countess. Your countess.” Her eyes widened in surprise. “So foolish of me not to have thought about it sooner. I mean, I knew it. This was the entire reason I fretted about telling you my secret. When you decided the circumstances of my birth were not important, your status flew out of my mind. I simply did not think about it again until just now. Our son will be a little viscount, assuming we have a son. And assuming you give him the courtesy title. I’ll have Belle create a new perfume. We’ll call it A Night With An Earl. Too long a name, do you think? Perhaps Earl’s Temptation.”
“Getting a little ahead of yourself, aren’t you? On the perfume and the son. We don’t have our little viscount yet. Although I promise to do my duty with uncompromising diligence and zeal to make it come about.”
She arched an eyebrow. “I don’t doubt it. Look at us. I think we are both panting harder than Jasper ever was today. I will admit, I’m excited at the prospect of tossing off our clothes and climbing into bed.”
He set her down only long enough to help her remove her gown and undergarments. He unpinned her hair and gave her a naughty prelude as he kissed along her thighs when removing her stockings. “Tom!”
