by Meara Platt
“I know. They were never my friends, nor shall I miss them. Nor will I care. I have you and a very large, extended family, and hope to count the Forsters among our friends. It is all the company I need.”
He offered to dance a third with Honey. “Oh, no. I’ve had quite enough of you, my exceedingly handsome and overly protective lord. Go. I know how much you enjoy your game of cards. Don’t let me hold you back.”
He sighed. “I can skip it.”
“No, your normal routine is important. I’ll sit with Hortensia and my cousins. I’ll be quite happy and safe with them.”
Reluctantly, he joined Finn and his brothers in the card room. He and Finn often played cards together, so they’d known each other fairly well before becoming brothers-in-law. “I wasn’t really going to strangle Lady Sarah,” he grumbled, catching Finn frowning at him. “You needn’t have stopped me.”
“You were mad enough to take down three Braydens before we subdued you. I don’t think anyone has ever managed that feat before. But you are family now. We protect our own, even from themselves when necessary.”
“Duly noted.” He dealt the cards, and they played several rounds until the dinner bell rang. He and Finn rose, for it was time to escort their wives to the dining hall. “How is Belle? I should have asked sooner. I’m sure the scene she witnessed was most upsetting to her. I’m glad that demented harpy left Belle alone.”
“Belle was concerned, of course. How could she not be distraught to see her sister attacked? But Honey showed poise under fire.”
“And I behaved like a flaming arse.” Tom shook his head. “I would have killed her if she were a man.”
“I know.”
“But she’s a female. I’m not sure what I would have done to shut her up. Maybe tossed her over my knee and spanked her. Well, that’s hitting. I couldn’t have done that. Perhaps carried her out and dumped her in the street. Probably couldn’t have done that either.”
Finn shook his head. “That girl is going to come across someone who will have no such reservations. She had better learn to curb her spiteful tongue.”
“Honey is worried that her father will beat her. But he won’t. If he were the sort, he would have done it long ago. She certainly gave him enough cause.”
The conversation was dropped as they met their wives.
Later that night, once they were home and in bed, Tom took Honey in his arms. “Are you truly all right, love?”
She nodded. “I think so. Are you?”
“Not quite yet, but I’ll get past it. She tried to destroy you.”
“And you think you are somehow to blame?” She kissed him lightly on the jaw, no doubt feeling his tension against her lips. “She is the one who did this, not you.”
“I should have done something to prevent it.”
“There is nothing you could have done. She was determined to destroy my reputation and our marriage. She’s failed at both. I’m relieved she was merely waving a champagne glass while ranting and not a pistol. Then someone really might have been hurt. But you are still wound in a tight coil.” She ran her hand along his arm to soothe him. “Your muscle is still hard as a rock. Why are you so troubled, Tom?”
“I don’t know.”
“Yes, you do.” She kissed him again. “Shall we talk about your feelings?”
“Bollocks, no.”
“Because I think what has you clenching your hands and grinding your teeth is the feeling of helplessness. You couldn’t stop Lady Sarah from trying to ruin me, just as you can’t stop your mother’s failing health.”
“Can we not speak of this in bed?”
“The ironic thing about it all is that the biggest scandal is yet to be.”
He frowned. “What do you mean?”
“Society will be unforgiving of a countess in trade. That I will continue to help my family run our perfume business will offend the Upper Crust more than the circumstances of my birth. Do you think you are up to facing that scandal?”
He emitted a groaning laugh. “Yes, I’m up for it. I should have realized…”
“Realized what, my love?”
He shifted her under him and began to trail kisses along her neck. “I should have realized when marrying a Farthingale, my life will never be complacent or sedentary again.”
She cupped his face and frowned in response to his words. “I’m so sorry, Tom. I’ll try my best to—”
“To what? Be a good and biddable wife? No, love. You think for yourself. You don’t blindly follow what some else tells you to do. You are far too independent for that. The words meek, docile, and obedient are not in the Farthingale vocabulary.”
“Of course, they are…sometimes…often.”
“Rarely. But I don’t mind. That’s not why I married you. And while I obviously adore and worship your body,” he said, now kissing his way along her sweet, warm skin, tasting her and loving the way she responded to the touch of his hands and lips. “I married you because you will always challenge me to be the best man I can be. You will always calm me when I want to roar in frustration. You will always give me hope, show me the beauty and promise in life. This is why I love you. This is why I shall remain deeply and irrevocably in love with you for the rest of my days.”
“That was a lovely speech, but I have a confession to make.”
He stopped kissing her and propped up on one elbow. “What is it, love?”
“I only married you for your body.”
He burst out laughing.
But this is how their marriage would always be, for Honey added smiles and lightness to his being.
He settled over her, loving the way she was always soft and willing. “Have at my body to your heart’s desire, my impertinent countess.”
“Thank you, my lord. I shall do just that.”
Chapter Eighteen
London, England
October 1820
Honey stood in the bedchamber she shared with Tom, peering out the window. It was still quite early in the morning, but they were up and dressed, preparing to head downstairs to join his newly arrived sister and her husband for breakfast. “What are you doing, Tom? I’m usually the one who is always slow to get ready.”
“Just organizing some documents to give to Anne. I’m sure Malcolm will want to look them over while they’re here.”
The sky was an overcast gray, and a strong north wind was doing an efficient job of blowing the last few leaves off the trees in their garden. Honey watched them being tossed in the air, their golds and deep reds catching her eye as they floated for several moments before dropping to the hard ground beside the rose trellis.
Only a few red roses remained in bloom, their vibrant petals, a crimson in color, quite beautiful against the dying foliage.
Tom came to stand behind her, wrapping her in his arms and drawing her up against his chest. “You remind me of those red roses. The fiery tinge to your hair. Your stunning beauty. Your resilience. The softness of your petals.” He nuzzled her neck.
“I don’t have petals. Perhaps a few thorns.”
“No, you’re perfect.”
She laughed and turned in his arms to face him. “Lord Wycke, my wicked and wonderful lord. You must not flatter me as we are about to leave our bedchamber, or I shall drag you back to bed and never let you out of it. We shall get nothing done. Ever. The house will fall to ruin. The roof will collapse about our heads. The servants will run off. Our situation will be quite dire.”
“All because of an extra hour in bed? Amazing.” He planted a loud, wet kiss on her cheek. “Then I had better get you out of here.”
As they headed to the door, ridiculously slow because they weren’t quite finished kissing each other, they heard a sudden banging on their door. “Tom! Are you in there? Come quickly.”
His sister was urgently summoning him.
He threw open the door. “What is it, Anne?”
“It’s our mother. She’s opened her eyes. She’s calling for you.”
Anne scurried ahead of them. “‘Where’s Tom? Where’s my Tom?’ That’s what she’s been saying over and over.”
“She isn’t asking for me, Anne. She’s calling for our father.”
“I don’t know. It feels like she’s asking for you, Tom.”
“Well, here we are. Let’s see.” The three of them hurried in, but Honey held back to allow him and his sister some privacy as they sat close to their mother’s bed.
Lady Wycke’s aged, reddened eyes settled on her son. “Tom, there you are. Where have you been?”
“I’m here now, my darling.” He took her hand in both of his.
She gazed at Honey. “Oh, my dear. I’m so glad you’ve come, too.” She waved Honey closer.
At Tom’s nod, she moved to stand beside him, resting a hand lightly on his shoulder.
“Anne, where’s your big hulk of a husband?”
Anne grinned. “Eating, of course. How else is he to maintain his muscled magnificence?”
Lady Wycke chuckled. “He’s a good man. I’m glad you’re so happy, my beautiful girl.”
Anne burst into tears. “I am, Mama. I’ll fetch Malcolm. He’ll want to give you a kiss now that you’re awake.”
Honey sank into the chair she had just vacated. “And dear, Honey. You and Poppy were so sweet to me at our country party. My son is wild for you. I’ve never seen him look at another girl the way he looks at you. Has he proposed to you yet?”
Honey was going to burst into tears as well. “He has, Lady Wycke.”
“And you’ve accepted? I’m sure you must have. He’s irresistible.”
Tom let out a genuinely mirthful laugh. “Gad, that’s a mother talking if I ever heard one.”
“He is irresistible,” Honey said with a nod. “He has completely stolen my heart.”
“As Honey has stolen mine. I’ve married her. She is my wife. For a little over a month now.” He was still holding his mother’s hand. “I’m sorry, my darling. You were too ill to attend. We tried to tell you afterward…”
“I heard you. But I’ve not been myself. I thought I might have dreamed it. Well, it doesn’t matter, dearest. I know now. All I’ve ever wanted was for you to be happy, and I can see you are. Thank goodness both my children chose well. I’m so tired, Tom.”
Honey saw tears forming in his eyes.
“So very tired. Your father is waiting for me. I think it won’t be long now.”
Anne returned with her husband. “No, Mama!”
“Oh, my dear Anne. You’ve brought your Malcolm. Give us a kiss, you naughty boy. Stealing my daughter’s heart in an afternoon.”
Malcolm grinned. “Och, yer daughter is the one who led me astray. Captured my heart at first glance. What else could I do but marry her?”
“Tell me about the children?”
She and Tom left his sister and her husband chatting with her and went downstairs to have their breakfast, although Honey doubted either of them would eat much. But her stomach growled the moment she saw the chafing dishes neatly lined up on the buffet and immediately went over to them.
“Do you believe in miracles, Tom?” she asked, piling kippers, eggs, and sausages onto her plate. Well, perhaps she was hungrier than she realized.
“No, love.” He stood beside her, watching her fill the plate. “You sure you can eat all that?”
She nodded. “But your mother is awake and talking, recognizing her children. I feared she might never be alert again. Perhaps hearing Anne’s voice stirred her. How can it not be a miracle?”
When they sat, he at the head of the table and she beside him, he took her hand in his and gave it an affectionate squeeze. “Perhaps it is Anne’s voice that has her opening her eyes. They were always very close. She and Malcolm wanted her to come live with them. But the weather is harsh that far north, and her life has always been here. Besides,” he said with a wry grin, “she probably thought she needed to keep an eye on her wayward son.”
“I know you would have remained as wise and good as you always have been. I would have fallen deeply in love with you with or without your mother around to curb your wicked ways.”
“Ah, spoken like a doting wife.” His gaze was warm and tender. “I doubt her improvement will be permanent. For all we know, she may have said all she needed to say to Anne and me, and already be slipping back into her other world. How long before she calls out to me again, thinking I’m my father? ‘Where’s my Tom? There you are, my Tom. Where have you been?’”
“It doesn’t matter. We shall love her and be grateful for those moments she is with us.” She speared an entire kipper and stuffed it in her mouth.
He stared at her.
“What?”
“Nothing.” He shook his head. “It won’t tear me up anymore to hear her say it. I think the worst for me has been not hearing her speak at all, watching her drift so far into herself, she can no longer see or hear us.”
“Let’s just take it one day at a time, my love.” She speared another kipper and stuffed it in her mouth. Followed by a forkful of eggs. She swallowed all of it down quickly. “No matter what happens, she doesn’t want us to cry over her. We will, of course. But not today. This is a good day. She is back with us for now. Your sister is here and so full of love for you. I shall plan a party for her before she and Malcolm return to Scotland.”
He nodded. “She’ll enjoy meeting your family. I believe she knows Violet and Poppy already.”
Honey set down her fork and cleared her throat. “I have another reason to rejoice.”
He placed his elbows on the table and watched her intently. “What reason might that be?”
She cleared her throat again. “A very good reason. I’m fairly certain. Although I’m not completely sure. But I think it must be.” She took a deep breath. “We may have a little viscount on the way.”
“A baby?” Tom looked upon her with such love, he simply melted her heart.
Anne and Malcolm happened to walk in just as Tom drew her out of her chair and kissed her so thoroughly, even the big Scot blushed.
“Don’t go,” Tom said, calling them back when they meant to leave them to their private interlude. “There’s a reason I am kissing my wife. Anne, can you believe it? I’m going to be a father.”
Then all of them were around her, hugging and congratulating her. “I told you, didn’t I, Malcolm? One look at you, Honey, and I knew. Yes, you are. Let me remove any doubt you might have. You are indeed carrying a little viscount.”
Tom took her in his arms and kissed her again.
“Well, we’ll leave you to it,” Anne said, tucking her arm in Malcolm’s and hurrying him out.
Honey smiled at her husband. “It was probably not the right moment to tell you, but—”
“It was the perfect moment. A new life brought into our family. I love you, Honey.”
“I love you, too. Shall we run upstairs and tell your mother?”
“Give me a moment. Let me enjoy having you to myself.”
She laughed. “You have such a grin on your face.”
“You have a way of making me smile whenever I’m with you. It’s a Farthingale trait, I think. That ability to turn their husbands into besotted, grinning fools. Whenever one is in the presence of a Farthingale, it is only a matter of time before happy chaos and mayhem ensues.”
“That is completely untrue.”
“Utterly true.” He looked over her head to the entrance. “Winwood?”
“Mrs. Violet Brayden is here to see her cousin. Urgently.”
Honey’s eyes widened in surprise. “Yes, please. Do have her come in.”
Violet burst in a moment later and threw her arms around Honey. “There is something important I must ask you.”
“Of course. What is it?” She glanced at Tom and sh
rugged.
“Did you give The Book of Love to Holly?”
“Yes, just yesterday morning. She’s been dodging me for weeks now, but I finally got it into her hands. Why?”
“Oh, that explains it.” She looked at Tom in dismay. “Lord Wycke, you cannot repeat a word of what I am about to tell you. Please, do I have your promise?”
“Yes,” Tom said, eyeing her curiously.
Violet took Honey’s hands in hers. “You must not breathe a word of it either, Honey.”
“My lips are sealed. What is the matter?”
“I was sure you had passed the book off to her…and this cannot be mentioned to anyone else. Not anyone. Not her sisters. Or the family elders, good heavens, not them. Nor the cousins.”
“For goodness sake, Violet. Just come out with it.”
“Holly caught Joshua Brayden standing naked in my kitchen last night. I mean…naked. Not a stitch on him. Not even a scrap of cloth to cover…you know, those parts.”
Tom burst out laughing. “What did I tell you, Honey?”
She rolled her eyes. “What was Holly doing in your house? For that matter, why was Joshua there in the first place? And what happened to his clothes?”
“It is all quite innocent.”
Tom shook his head, still laughing. “Of course, it is. It’s always innocent with you Farthingales. Have a seat, Violet. Have you had your breakfast?”
“I’ve eaten, thank you.” But she sat beside Honey and stared at the pile of food on her plate. “You’re awfully hungry this morning.”
“We were talking about Joshua’s missing clothes. What happened?”
Violet leaned closer, her voice barely above a whisper. “I was next door with the family to celebrate Hortensia’s birthday. Joshua had just come back from an assignment. He was exhausted and dirty after ten days of hard riding. He thought the house was empty because I was supposed to leave for Plymouth several days ago to meet Romulus, and it was arranged that he would stay in our house until I returned.”
Tom was still casting her that smug, I-told-you-so look. “But your plans changed.”
“Yes. However, we had no way of getting word to Joshua. Well, it is of no importance now. I’ve been sleeping over at Uncle John’s anyway, sharing a room with Holly. Which is why she knew I would not be in my own home when she crept in last night and tried to hide The Book of Love in one of my bureau drawers.”
