by Anne Herries
‘I think he must have been worried about something.’
‘Perhaps he was in debt,’ Lady Sheldon said, nodding her agreement. ‘I do not think he has any living relatives other than us. I do not know what arrangements should be made for the funeral and everything.’
‘I think you may leave safely these matters to Jared,’ Hester told her. ‘He will do whatever needs to be done.’
‘Yes, of course,’ her mother said and gave a sigh of satisfaction. ‘It is so good to know that we have someone to lean on, Hester. I really do not know how we managed without dear Jared.’
‘No, Mama,’ Hester said and hid her smile. ‘Nor do I.’
Leaving her mother to rest for a little longer, Hester went to her own room to change. She spent some time arranging her hair, letting it wave softly about her face instead of scraping it back as she often did when in a hurry. She put on the pale blue, heavy silk gown her maid had put out for her, fastening her pearls about her throat and adding a scarf of lace to hide the bruises to her skin. Satisfied that nothing was showing, she left her room and went along the landing, up the stairs to the west wing to her grandfather’s room.
His valet answered the door, inviting her in to see for herself that his Grace was resting. He lay propped up against a pile of pillows, looking at some papers, but smiled and put them down as she entered.
‘Hester, my love. I was just sorting out a few things for when I’ve gone. I shan’t be here for ever and I want to make sure you are taken care of.’
‘Oh, Grandfather,’ Hester said, ‘I have enough for my needs. Besides, I have my allowance—and the inheritance from my father’s aunt.’
‘It’s just as well, for I haven’t much to leave you, but there are a few things—personal items I want you to have.’
‘That is different,’ she said and smiled. ‘Though I need nothing to remind me of your kindness. I shall never forget you took me in as your own.’
‘And you have been more than any daughter could ever be,’ the duke told her. ‘All I want now is to see you happy, Hester.’
‘I am happy,’ she said, turning as the door opened to admit Jared. Her pulses raced at the sight of him. He had an air of sophistication in his evening dress, clearly a man at home in his element, and her heart caught with love. ‘Have you come to talk to Grandfather? Do you want me to leave?’
‘No, of course not, my love,’ Jared said, smiling as he came to stand at her side. ‘I have some news for you both. The builders have been up to the roof, examining the damage, and hidden under a ledge they found a valuable chalice wrapped in soft cloth. It has tarnished a little, but I am sure a good jeweller will be able to restore it to its former glory.’
‘The chalice—hidden here all that time?’ The duke was astonished. ‘You know the tale, of course? But if it was here all the time…’
‘The family made its own fortune,’ Jared told him. ‘The curse was never more than words said in anger. If the old scandal had been dealt with years ago, Knighton would never have been led to believe that he was the rightful heir.’
‘True enough,’ the duke said. ‘If there was a curse, it was broken when you came here, sir. I think that the fate of my family lies in your hands—and they are capable hands, I believe.’
‘I shall do my best, sir.’ Jared turned to Hester. ‘Give me your hand, my love.’ He took her left hand and slid something on to the third finger, smiling as she opened her eyes at him, because it was the most magnificent emerald-and-diamond ring she had ever seen, the emerald square cut and flawless. ‘I may not have asked you properly yet, but I thought it was time we made it official.’ He turned his steady gaze on the duke. ‘I trust this meets with your approval, sir?’
The duke’s eyes narrowed, intent on Hester’s face, satisfied with what he saw there. ‘What would you say if I said I did not approve?’
‘I would tell you that I was very sorry, but I intend to marry Hester if she will have me—and I believe she will?’ He grinned as she inclined her head. ‘But I hope that you will give us your approval, sir?’
‘With all my heart,’ the duke said and grinned back, looking much like his grandson might in later years. ‘I couldn’t have arranged matters better myself if I had tried.’
Jared raised his brows. ‘Do not tell me that it never crossed your mind, sir, for I should not believe you.’
‘It would do me little good to lie to you,’ the duke said. ‘You would see right through me. I hoped you might fall in love with my girl, but I knew if I said a word it might send you right back where you came from, so I kept my silence.’
‘Grandfather!’ Hester exclaimed. ‘You told me I had to teach him how to behave in society so that he could find a rich wife!’
‘Well, he ain’t got a need of one,’ the duke said, his eyes twinkling. ‘Got enough to build another dozen houses like this if the truth were known, I dare say.’
‘I have sufficient for my needs and those of my family,’ Jared replied with a lazy smile. ‘I am afraid you may not like the source of my wealth.’
‘Gambler like your father?’ the duke barked.
‘As a matter of fact, I make most of my money importing goods from one country to another and selling them,’ Jared told him. ‘I have ships, warehouses and quite a bit of property. I started off with tobacco and wine, but then I became interested in fine furniture, works of art…I bought a lot of goods that were stolen or displaced in the French Revolution. I rather like French furniture, you see. But I buy from anyone that has something of interest to sell. Some of it I keep and some of it is sold on at a profit.’
‘In trade, are you?’ The duke frowned at him. ‘Best keep it to yourself, sir. You might find some of the high-minded society ladies would turn their noses up at you if they discovered your secret.’
‘I rather think my business has gone beyond that, sir,’ Jared told him with a little smile. ‘I have found that if there is enough money people tend not to bother too much where it came from.’
‘Got that much, have you?’ the duke growled. ‘Well, I can stop worrying about my girl, then. You’ll make a decent settlement on her?’
‘Of course,’ Jared replied easily. ‘Hester is welcome to anything I have. I hope she knows that she means everything to me?’ His eyes rested on her tenderly, bringing tears of joy to her eyes.
‘I would marry you if you were as hard up as you would have had us believe at the start,’ Hester told him, taking his hand and pressing it to her cheek. ‘You are the only man I have ever wanted to marry.’
‘You’ve got good taste,’ the duke growled. ‘He’ll do very well, Hester. Now take him downstairs and show your ring to your mother. She has been telling me for weeks this was going to happen, but I wasn’t sure. Come and kiss me first, girl.’
She bent her head, kissing him affectionately. ‘You are a wicked old man, sir.’
‘Can’t teach an old dog new tricks,’ he grunted. ‘But I’ll die happy if I see my first great-grandchild in your arms, Hester.’
‘You’ll see him grow to a lad,’ Jared assured him. ‘You’ve nothing to worry about now that I am here, and no reason why you shouldn’t live for a good few years yet.’ He smiled at Hester. ‘Go down now, my love. I’ll follow in a few minutes.’
Hester nodded and went out, leaving the two men together. The duke gave him a hard look.
‘Everything sorted, then?’
‘I’ve confided in Grant. I thought he had the right to know.’
‘Yes, I dare say. He had nothing to do with any of this?’
‘Nothing at all, but he was the key to Knighton’s plans, sir. Knighton knew that two sudden deaths would be suspicious. He didn’t want an investigation into his background. He meant to kill me, but he wanted the blame to fall on Grant, leaving the way clear for you to leave this place to Hester. Once she had given him a child, he would have delighted in telling you the truth.’
‘Knowing that I could do nothing for her sake.’ The
duke nodded. ‘The man was mad. Believe me, he never had a true claim to the title. My elder brother was a womaniser and went through more than one sham marriage with innocent girls, besides pestering some of the maids—but keep that to yourself, please. There has been enough scandal in this family.’
‘I had the old story thoroughly investigated,’ Jared said. ‘I wanted to know the truth before I made up my mind to stay here.’
‘You will stay?’
‘It is Hester’s home,’ Jared said. ‘I would give her whatever she wanted—and I know she loves this house.’
‘But she loves you more,’ the duke said. ‘Ask her—decide between you. I have no right to demand that you give up your own life for us.’
‘You may not have,’ Jared said. ‘But Hester does.’
‘Everyone is delighted,’ Hester said as they walked together in the garden later that evening. ‘Mama says that she has known it for an age. Lady Ireland was surprised, but pleased—and even Mr Grant wished me happiness.’
‘I think you will find he is content with the situation,’ Jared said. ‘I have some influence that may lead to a preferment for him, a first step on the way to becoming a bishop perhaps.’
‘Yes, he would make an excellent bishop,’ Hester said, eyes dancing with laughter. ‘I thought you handled Grandfather very well, Jared—but you should never have risked your own life for Mr Knighton the way you did.’ She stopped walking, her hand pressed to his chest as she looked up into his eyes. ‘If you had slipped and fallen…’
He bent his head, brushing his lips lightly over hers, hushing her with a kiss that left her breathless, her body melting with desire. ‘It is over, my love. Nothing happened and the builders will be here again tomorrow to finish their work. I have no intention of going anywhere…except on my honeymoon with you.’ He touched her cheek with his fingertips. ‘Where do you wish to go—Italy, France…America?’
‘I should like to see where you were brought up one day,’ Hester told him. ‘But a short trip to Paris would be enough for me. I do not want to leave Grandfather for too long.’ She gazed into his eyes. ‘I know it is asking a lot of you to give up your home and live here. It is only while he lives, Jared. I could not leave him alone here—but one day, when he is no longer with us, I will go anywhere that you wish. My life is with you. I do not mind where we live once Grandfather has gone.’
‘But you love this house. Would you not hate to leave it?’
‘I love Shelbourne,’ Hester agreed, reaching up to touch her lips to his. ‘But I love you more, Jared.’
He touched his fingers to her lips. ‘When I was a child, my home was in many places. My father was a gambler. Sometimes we lived in the best places, sometimes we lived anywhere we could find a roof over our heads. In the end he made enough money to invest in a small business and we began to prosper. He gave me a good start and I have multiplied that money many times over—but I have never had a real home. Yes, I have houses—more luxurious than this, as it happens—but the one thing I didn’t have was a home. I have found my home here, Hester—with you.’
‘Jared…’ She pressed herself against him, feeling the burn of his need throbbing against her through the silk of her gown. ‘I love you so much, want to be yours so much…when will you marry me?’
‘As soon as it can be arranged,’ he told her, bending his head to kiss her once more. His eyes were alight with amusement. ‘If you are impatient, my dearest heart, just imagine how I feel.’
‘Oh, Jared,’ she said, laughing now as she saw the hunger in his face. ‘If you can arrange it, I will marry you tomorrow.’
‘I could arrange it,’ he said. ‘But I want a big wedding with lots of important guests, my darling. You are not to be married in some small, hurried way, but with all the pomp and ceremony I can arrange.’ His hand moved down her throat, moving the lace aside, his lips pressing against the bruising he found there so gently that it felt like a soothing balm. ‘You tried to hide it, my love, but I knew he had hurt you.’
‘It is nothing,’ she said, lifting her face for his kiss. ‘Nothing can harm me now that I know your love is real and true.’
‘Nothing will harm you,’ he promised. ‘While I live, I shall do all I can to protect you and make you happy.’
‘You do that every time I look at you,’ Hester said. ‘You know that I am yours whenever you want me?’
‘I want you now,’ he said huskily, his hand moving down to caress her breast through the softness of her gown. ‘But I shall wait for our wedding night, Hester. It may drive me to distraction, my adorable one—but I shall wait.’ He kissed her again. ‘You know there have been other women in my life, but there is only one I want to wake up next to every morning of my life.’
Hester lay in her husband’s arms, her face pressed into the salty warmth of his chest. She felt safe, relaxed and loved, her body still tingling from his lovemaking. Raising herself on one arm to look down at him, she traced the line of his cheek with her finger.
‘What should I have done if you had refused to come when Grandfather summoned you?’ she asked. ‘You had no reason to comply with his wishes—what made you do it?’
Jared’s hand stroked the satin arch of her back, his other hand tangling with her long hair as he thought about the question she had asked. She was a beautiful, sensuous woman, and they had found intense pleasure in each other last night.
‘I am not sure,’ he said. ‘At first I meant to play a trick on the lawyer and send him back with a false tale, but then something he said made me wonder…’
‘What did he say to you?’ Hester asked, her lips against his ear so that her breath tickled him.
‘He talked about family loyalty and tradition,’ Jared told her simply. ‘He told me about the family, about my ancestors and the things they had done to win honours and wealth long ago. He talked about a special bonding between master and men that was not often met with these days and it made me curious.’
‘Was that all—curiosity?’ Hester looked down at him. ‘No, there was more, surely? You wanted to see your mother’s home—to tell the duke what you thought of him.’
‘Yes, that too,’ Jared replied thoughtfully. ‘I came with anger in my heart, Hester—but then I met you.’
‘You were angry when we first met,’ she said. ‘It wasn’t just what the lawyer said to you, was it?’
‘I’m not sure,’ he said. ‘Perhaps it was because you looked so beautiful—so sure of yourself—and you were prepared to teach me how to behave so that I could find a rich wife.’ He lowered his head, kissing her thoroughly. ‘That made me angry—how could you promise to help me find a rich wife when I wanted only you? I thought you were indifferent to me, despised me for being an American upstart.’
‘Oh, Jared,’ Hester said, a little break in her voice. ‘At first I behaved towards you in the manner I knew was expected of me. We needed the money so badly for the estate—but even then I wished that you did not have to marry for money. I wanted you to love me.’
‘I was never sure,’ he said, his eyes burning into her with such intense passion that she trembled, her body arching towards him as he drew her closer, beginning to ache for him again, to need him inside her once more. ‘I knew quite soon that I loved you, as I had never loved another woman—but you were always so proper, so much the English lady.’
‘It was my upbringing,’ Hester whispered against his ear. ‘I did not dare to let you see how I felt, for I was not certain you cared for me as I cared for you. I was jealous of those ladies you invited to the ball.’
‘Selina was my mistress for a while, but that was long over—and I did not care for her sister. She was too demanding for my taste, Hester. I was merely being the perfect host—and trying to deceive Knighton, to deflect his attention from you, my love.’ His hand tangled in her hair, bringing her face closer so that he could kiss her again.
‘And there was never a bastard son?’ she asked when she could, her eyes searching his fac
e. ‘No other woman you wanted to marry? No secret love that still haunts you?’
‘Never,’ he promised her. He reached out to touch her cheek, his fingers trailing the line of her face, moving over her soft mouth. ‘Believe me, I never wanted to make a child with any other woman, my love.’
‘But you do with me?’ Hester’s eyes dwelled on his face, searching for the answer she needed.
‘I do with you,’ he said, turning her over on to her back so that he gazed down into her eyes. He kissed her softly on the lips, his eyes gazing into hers so intently that she thought he must be able to see into her very soul. ‘I hope we shall have children one day, but for the moment all I want is you. Forgive me, but I cannot seem to have enough of you.’
Hester reached up, bringing him down to her, her legs parting as she welcomed him, her body throbbing with the desire he could so easily arouse. She arched towards him, giving herself up to the pleasure of his seeking hands and tongue.
‘And I can never have enough of you,’ she whispered as his lips found her breasts, making her whimper with pleasure. ‘Never, never, never…’
And after that there was for some time no more need of words.
ISBN: 978-1-4268-4123-1
THE UNKNOWN HEIR
Copyright © 2008 by Anne Herries
First North American Publication 2009
All rights reserved. Except for use in any review, the reproduction or utilization of this work in whole or in part in any form by any electronic, mechanical or other means, now known or hereafter invented, including xerography, photocopying and recording, or in any information storage or retrieval system, is forbidden without the written permission of the publisher, Harlequin Enterprises Limited, 225 Duncan Mill Road, Don Mills, Ontario, Canada M3B 3K9.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places and incidents are either the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events or locales is entirely coincidental.
