by Rose Pearson
Finding herself somewhat weak, Harmonia nodded and walked towards the door, her feet a little unsteady. What had occurred this morning had been difficult enough but now to discover that her suitor had been shot by her cousin only added to her burden of pain and confusion. She desperately wanted to hurry to Newford’s side, as if to make certain that he was to live and not draw near to death, but her father’s edict stood. She was to remain here, far apart from Lord Newford even though her heart ached to be with him.
‘My dear Newford,’ she wrote, her hand trembling as she scratched the quill across the parchment. ‘I am deeply troubled to hear of your injury. Be assured that I am quite well, as is Amelia. I long to be with you but for reasons that my father will explain, I am to remain at home. I do hope that, very soon, I will be in your company once more. Write to me when you can and know that I love you with all that is within me. Yours, Harmonia.’
A single tear fell from her eye and landed on the parchment as she folded it up, sealing it with wax. Pressing the letter to her heart, she held it there for a moment, her eyes closing as she fought her desperate tears. To be apart from Newford now was an agony, a searing pain that would not let her heart go.
“I will be with you again very soon,” she whispered, looking down at the letter at her hand. “Luke will be gone from town and all will be well.” She tried to smile as she rose from her chair in search of her father, all the while trying her best to believe that, soon, Luke’s dealings with Newford and her family would be nothing more than a distant, cloudy memory.
And yet, as she handed the letter to her father, the disquiet, the doubt and the fear remained.
Chapter Seventeen
One week later
“My dearest Harmonia!”
Seeing her face again made his heart ache with the sudden realization of just how lonely he had been without her. She flew across the room towards him and, ignoring the presence of her sister Amelia completely, threw herself into his arms.
“Oh, Newford.”
Her cheek was damp as it pressed against his own, her body soft as she let out a small, strangled sob.
“You need not weep for me, my dear,” he whispered, feeling his own gratefulness swelling within him again. “I am quite well.”
The pain in his shoulder was still there, of course, but he would not allow her to know that. It was a dull ache that constantly seemed to niggle at him, reminding him of what Lord Darnsley had done.
“Harmonia,” came Amelia’s practical voice from across the room. “The maid is at the door with the tea tray, and I highly doubt that Lord Newford has any intention of going anywhere. You need not cling onto him so.”
Phillip smiled down at his love as she released him, brushing her cheek with his fingers and catching the silvery tears that fell from her eyes.
“Come, my love,” he murmured, drawing her away from the door and towards Amelia. “Come and sit with me. We have much to say to one another, I think.”
It had been a week and a day since he had been attacked by Lord Darnsley – although, of course, he was unable to say that it had been Lord Darnsley for certain since his face had never been seen – but it had been a week without Lady Harmonia and that had been more of a burden to bear than the recovery from his wound! He had felt her loss almost every day he had been apart from her, until an assurance of what he hoped for their future began to settle on his mind.
“I must thank you for your letters, my dear,” he said, as she sat down gracefully, her eyes still holding some moisture. “They sustained me in my separation from you.”
She gave him a small smile, her hand still on his arm. “I would have come to you if papa would have let me.”
“I am glad he did not,” Phillip replied, firmly. “There is no guessing what Lord Darnsley might do now. It is for your own safety that you remain here.”
Amelia caught his eye and smiled, and Phillip caught a shard of worry in her expression.
“Indeed, Harmonia,” she murmured, leaning forward to pour the tea. “You know that this is all for your best interests, and for Lord Newford’s safety too. We have no idea where Luke is, and that is not a good thing.”
Phillip nodded slowly, accepting a cup from Amelia. “There has been no sign of him since you last saw him?” He glanced towards Harmonia who had paled slightly as she recalled how Luke had behaved towards her in the bookshop. “Forgive me, I did not mean to concern you again.”
Harmonia caught herself and smiled, breaking the worry on her face. “Thank you. I am quite all right. I have been caught this last week with just how great a change has come over my cousin. It thought I knew his character and now it seems I did not.”
“You were not the only one taken by surprise,” Amelia murmured, shaking her head. “The Luke we once knew no longer lives.”
Seeing Harmonia’s brittle smile, Phillip took her fingers and held them tightly in his. “Your father, I understand, has done a very great deal in ensuring that Luke stays away from you.”
“He has,” Harmonia replied, quickly. “I do not think I have ever seen him so apoplectic! It is as though news of what he had done to both myself and you pushed my father into a frenzy. He has been in town and to the solicitors and doing all he can to find the extent of Luke’s financial difficulties.”
“And, it seems, he has found out everything,” Amelia finished, with a slight sigh. “Luke will be forced to mortgage his own estate, if he has not yet already done so. We now believe that Luke has discovered father’s investigation and has quit London. His townhouse – or, rather, the townhouse he uses when he comes to London, is now entirely vacant. No-one knows where he has gone for, as far as my father’s steward has been able to discover, Luke has not returned to his estate.”
Phillip drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, thinking carefully about what this meant. “Then, I suppose, it is best that you continue to remain within the house, Harmonia, until Luke’s whereabouts are known.” He turned his gaze to her and, for a moment, thought she might argue but, to his surprise, she simply gave him a small shrug.
“I shall do whatever is required of me,” she said, softly. “Just so long as I know you are able to visit on occasion. I would not like you to put yourself in danger, of course.”
She was just as kind and compassionate as ever. Luke’s behavior towards her had not taken that from her, nor pushed anger into her heart. Phillip smiled into her eyes and pressed her hand, knowing that he had to speak to her before the afternoon was out.
“I am quite careful, I assure you,” he said, softly, turning his gaze towards Lady Amelia. Clearing his throat, he gave Lady Harmonia a quick smile. “I wonder, Lady Amelia, if I might be allowed a few minutes alone with Harmonia? It will not be for long.”
Amelia did not hesitate but got to her feet at once, as though she knew exactly what was coming. “But of course, Lord Newford. I shall go and fetch another tea tray, I think.”
“Maybe something a little stronger,” Phillip found himself saying and, catching his eye for a moment, Lady Amelia smiled, her eyes bright.
“I know just what to get,” she murmured, before inclining her head and excusing herself.
Harmonia, however, had not moved an inch. She still clung to his hand, her cheeks now a little flushed as he turned his attention back to her.
“My dear Harmonia,” Phillip began, as the door was pulled behind Lady Amelia – although not shut completely. “I must tell you just how much I have missed you this last week.”
Her gaze softened. “As have I,” she whispered, her other hand now pressed on top of their joined ones. “I have thought of nothing but you, Phillip. I have longed to leave this house and go to you and it broke me asunder to know that I could not. Although I am glad you are recovered,” she finished, with a small sigh, her eyes darting to his shoulder. “I am sorry for what Luke did.”
“There is nothing to be sorry for,” Phillip said at once, not wanting Harmonia to take on any responsibility th
at was not her own. “This was not your doing, Harmonia. Lord Darnsley, thankfully showing himself to be a base and uncunning enemy, was determined to separate us, but I have grown all the more determined not to allow him to do such a thing.” His throat worked as he felt his heart begin to quicken its pace, the words suddenly sticking to his lips. “Harmonia, I…”
Trailing off, he looked into her eyes and saw the surprise hiding within the blue pools. Reaching for her, he allowed his fingers to brush the fair curls that fell around her shoulders, giving himself time to think clearly about what he was to say. This was one of the most important moments of his life and he was not about to rush it.
“My dearest Harmonia, you know very well that I love you with my whole heart,” he said, slowly, his thumb running along the soft curve of her jaw. “Lord Darnsley has tried his utmost to push me away from you but his efforts have been entirely in vain. I have become even more drawn to you. Our separation has been one that grew painful to me, my heart aching for you with a wound that only you can heal.”
“Oh, Newford,” he heard Harmonia whisper, her lips curving gently. “You speak of a pain that I fully understand. My heart is filled with a love for you that I know will never fade.”
His throat tightened but he smiled at her regardless, aware that his voice was to be hoarse.
“Harmonia, my love. Will you do me the honor of becoming my wife?”
He heard her breath catch as she stared at him, the smile slowly fading as her eyes grew bright with astonishment. His gut tightened as he looked back at her steadily, suddenly filled with a fear that she would refuse him.
And then, with a tinkling laugh, she threw her arms around her neck, holding him tightly.
“Yes, yes, of course I will!” she exclaimed, as his arms wrapped around her waist. “I will be your wife, Newford. This is the happiest day of my life!”
His breathing ragged, Phillip held her tightly, suddenly overcome with delight. He had never felt such happiness before, his whole world suddenly shining all the brighter now that Harmonia had agreed to be his.
“There will be no separating us ever again,” he promised, leaning back so that he could look into her eyes. “Never again, my love. You will be mine and I will be yours, for the rest of our days.”
The tears in her eyes were ones of joy and, as he kissed her gently, Phillip felt his very soul burst with sheer happiness. He smiled into her eyes as he broke their kiss, knowing that Amelia would be back very soon.
“I spoke to your father before I came in to greet you,” he assured her, seeing the question in her eyes. “He is more than happy, Harmonia, much to my delight. We will call the banns this very Sunday if you wish it!”
Harmonia laughed aloud, her cheeks bright with color and eyes sparkling. “As soon as we can, my love. I do not wish to wait.”
“We both feel the same in that regard, then,” Phillip chucked, shifting back into his seat and taking her hand. “I love you, Harmonia.”
“I love you too.”
There was a short silence as they simply looked into one another’s eyes, their hands joined.
“Am I to assume congratulations are in order?”
The silence was broken as Amelia came back into the room, her eyebrow lifted as Harmonia rose to her feet with Phillip by her side.
“Indeed,” Harmonia exclaimed dropping Phillip’s hand to embrace her sister. “I am engaged!”
Amelia laughed and held her sister tightly. “I am truly happy for you both. What wonderful news!”
“Wonderful indeed,” Phillip agreed, just as the maid came into the room, carrying a tray that held a bottle of champagne and four glasses. “Thank you, Amelia.”
She smiled at him as Harmonia came back to stand by his side.
“Father will be joining us in a moment,” she said, indicating the fourth glass. “I know he will be delighted as the rest of us.”
“Never happier than I,” Harmonia murmured, leaning into Phillip for a moment, and Phillip could not help but agree.
Chapter Eighteen
News of their engagement travelled fast. Less than a day after he had proposed to Harmonia, Phillip found himself the center of attention at Lady Marmaduke’s ball. Thankful that all the attentions from the ladies were in the form of bitter and regretful congratulations, he tried his best to smile and nod, accepting from all and sundry whilst beginning to feel more and more overwhelmed.
“And is your dear betrothed here this evening?” one lady asked, grasping his forearm, to which he immediately responded by delicately trying to retrieve it. “I know she was invited. I am, after all, very dear friends with Lady Marmaduke.”
Clearing his throat and unsure as to whether they had been introduced before, Phillip gave the lady in question a quick smile. “I am not sure as to whether or not she will attend,” he said in reply, careful not to go into detail as to Harmonia’s absence. “She is, of course, quite busy with wedding preparations.”
“The banns are to be called this Sunday, I understand.”
Wondering how such news had already reached the lady’s ears, Phillip nodded. "Indeed, they are. We will be wed at the Duke of Westbrook’s parish, since that is Lady Harmonia’s home.”
The lady whose name he still did not know practically squealed in glee and clutched his arm, her eyes bright. “It shall be a wonderful occasion, I am quite sure!” she exclaimed, her voice reaching over the din of the conversations around them. “The youngest daughter of the Duke of Westbrook finally married…. ah, it shall be a fantastic occasion indeed.” Her eyes gleamed, her fingers digging through his coat and into his skin. “A great many invitations will be sent out, will they not?”
Stiffening, Phillip gave her a tight smile, realizing why her interest was so obviously piqued.
“I leave all of that to the lady,” he replied with a slight bow, slowly beginning to edge away from her. “Lady Harmonia will take care of all the wedding arrangements and I shall be entirely at her leisure, I’m afraid. Good evening to you.”
Unfortunately for the lady, who was clearly angling for an invitation to the wedding, Phillip turned away from her and made his way to a quieter part of the ballroom, wishing he had never made an appearance at the ball. It was much too crowded, much too noisy, and the guests much too interested in him.
He had never considered what life would be like for a man engaged to the Duke of Westbrook’s daughter. Of course, it did not deter him from his engagement to Harmonia but still, it came as something of a shock to be so talked about by the rest of the beau monde. Of course, a Duke’s daughter, with her dowry, was considered something of a catch but Phillip recoiled from that description. That was not how he saw Harmonia, and he did not like that society thought him somehow particularly lucky in having her as his bride simply because of her monetary worth, and the influence he would gain from having the ear of the Duke so readily available to him. She was much more than that, and had she very little in terms of her dowry or status, Phillip would have married her regardless.
“I think he went over this way.”
Lifting his eyes from the spot on the floor, Phillip saw none other than the lady he had spoken to only a few minutes ago walking towards him, her gaze searching the crowd. It was a blessing that her voice was fairly loud since he now had adequate warning to escape from her clutches. If he remained, he would most likely be caught up in her demands to know more about his betrothed and their wedding plans, with apparently a few others now as interested as she – all in the hope, he was sure, of receiving an invitation to their nuptials. Not being particularly accustomed to being such an object of interest to society, Phillip retreated to the staircase and hurried into the balcony, allowing himself a few moments of solitude.
The ballroom was abuzz with guests and Phillip could not help but smile to himself as he saw the ladies still searching for him. He clung to the shadows, just in case they were to look up and spot him.
He did not care for society, that was withou
t doubt. The sooner they quit London, the happier he would be. Delighted that the wedding would take place at the Duke’s estate, Phillip’s smile spread further across his face. There would soon be nothing to stop them from enjoying the quiet life of the country, far from the business of London.
His gaze drifted idly across the crowd – only for it to stop and fix on one particular gentleman. An icy hand clutched at his heart as Phillip narrowed his eyes, wondering if the man he saw truly was who he thought.
The doors to the gardens were already open and, as though the man knew that Phillip had seen him, he turned on his heel and made his way towards the darkness and was soon swallowed up by it. Getting to his feet, Phillip kept his gaze trained on the door as though by sheer thought he might get the man to come back inside, but, as the minutes ticked by, it was clear he would not.
Had that been Lord Darnsley? If it was, what on earth was he doing at Lady Marmaduke’s ball? Phillip was sure that Darnsley would not have been invited so, unless he slipped in unnoticed, there was no reason for him to be here.
Swallowing hard, Phillip’s worry began to increase all the more. Lord Darnsley had not been seen for some time now, but if that had been him, then it was quite clear that the man had not yet left London as they had all thought. He would have to speak to Harmonia tomorrow, to find out if there had been any sightings of her cousin. How glad he was now that she had not attended the ball! It might have been all the worse for her had she done so.
Clenching his fist, Phillip sat down heavily on the velvet covered chair, rubbing one hand down his face. He had allowed himself to believe that the threat was past, that Luke Darnsley was gone from London. Now, it seemed, he had been quite wrong in that regard.
Luke was still in town.
The following afternoon found Phillip making his way towards the Duke of Westbrook’s home, with Harmonia on his mind. He had thought and thought about what he had seen last evening, and earlier that morning, had written her a note detailing what he had seen and asking her to be more than a little careful. He had since discarded it, believing himself to be much too anxious over nothing. It might very well have been another gentleman who simply looked like Lord Darnsley and that, in turn, had made Phillip himself overly cautious.
