My True Love

by Cheryl Holt

  "I'm listening," Lucas grumbled.

  “You can't risk making things worse than they already are!"

  "I realize that," Lucas said, understanding that Matthew was absolutely right but wondering how he was going to comply with the command. Matthew hadn't been the one to see Penny kneeling naked at her bath. If he had, he wouldn't be so quick to give orders about how Lucas should comport himself.

  He laid a handful of coins on the table, then followed his brother into the yard, where their horses were waiting. They were alternating between watching the house and going into the city, and it was Lucas's turn to head for London, but as he checked the saddle and prepared to mount, Matthew said, "Perhaps I should go to London today instead of you."

  "What?"

  "Well, considering what I just discovered, I don't imagine your mind will be focused on business. Who knows what kinds of mistakes you might make? They could prove deadly if you're not paying attention."

  "For pity's sake, I know what I'm about!"

  "Oh, spare me!" Matthew snorted. "Your concentration has shifted a bit lower than your brain. It's completely centered between your legs."

  "I'm perfectly capable of carrying out my duties!"

  Matthew rolled his eyes and decided to give up the argument. Lucas was a grown man who needed no assistance from his younger brother in order to get himself in and out of trouble.

  MY TRUE LOVE 173

  Plus, he had a dreadful habit of refusing to listen to reason when Matthew was speaking truths he didn't want to hear. Still, Matthew couldn't help giving a few last admonitions. "Don't forget to stable your horse before you arrive in the heart of town."

  "I won't forget," Lucas said, nodding in agreement. They'd decided in advance that they were too visible riding through the streets. Because of their size and stature, they would be recognizable to anyone who might be looking; it was easier to be swallowed up by the crowds when they were on foot.

  "You know how to find Paulie?"

  "He'll find me."

  Matthew managed a chuckle. "Do you have the new note?"

  "Yes, I've got it." Lucas patted against his shirt, where he felt the satisfying crackle of the parchment he'd stuffed there. Late in the night he'd penned the letter to Westmoreland, and the words seemed to be alive and geared to burst out. "I told the ladies I'd be late. That the wedding will be after nine."

  "What if the duke refuses to comply with today's conditions?"

  Lucas shrugged. "We'll deal with it when the time comes."

  "If he rejects our demands again, should we still go through with tonight's ceremony?"

  "We can't release Penny," Lucas said. "Not yet. So we can't postpone the wedding. It would look too suspicious. But don't worry, he'll come to terms. You'll see." Any other outcome was unthinkable.

  "Make sure Harry's asleep before I get there," Matthew advised. "Even disguised as a minister, he'd recognize me."

  "The women have him on a tight schedule, so don't worry. He'll be long abed before you arrive."

  "How's that going? Has Miss Westmoreland spent much time with him?"

  "She likes him very, very much." Much more than is wise, Lucas thought but didn't say so. "She thinks he's a wonderful lad."

  174 Cheryl Holt

  "Well, she's right about that," Matthew said. "He is."

  They both fell silent, staring, wondering if they'd acted appropriately by bringing the half brother and half sister together. Had they made things worse by engaging Penny's sentiments over the boy?

  It was too late now for second thoughts or second-guessing. As though reading Matthew's mind, Lucas said, "What's done is done."

  They swung onto their mounts. Matthew turned toward the village and the secluded house that lay beyond. Lucas turned toward the road that would carry him to London.

  "The duke's men are everywhere. Searching. Asking questions," Matthew said just as they were about to pull away. "Be careful."

  "I always am," Lucas affirmed, his usual cocky smile firmly in place. "I've no intention of giving Westmoreland the pleasure of hanging me!"

  With a wink and a wave he was off.

  ******************

  The ornate carriage pulled into the drive of Westmoreland's home, and he barely waited for it to rattle to a stop before jumping down. The latest ransom note, which had been thrust into the hand of an unsuspecting coachman while they were stalled in traffic, was clutched tightly in his fist. He strode up the walk, ready to go to his library so he could reflect upon the current turn of circumstance—why hadn't Pendleton sent her home as Harold had expected him to do?!—when the front door opened just as he was about to enter.

  Edward Simpson, the very last person Harold wanted to see, came bumbling out.

  "Harold," the man said by way of greeting.

  "Edward." Harold nodded, gritting his teeth while trying to make it look like a smile of welcome. He hadn't time to waste talking with the blowhard! "What brings you by?" he asked, although he hadn't needed to voice the question. Penny had

  MY TRUE LOVE 175

  been missing now for four days, but Harold had been so certain she'd be returned at any moment that he hadn't admitted the reason for her absence to anyone. Not even the duchess had been granted a meeting to discuss what was happening.

  No doubt, the curious fiancé had begun to hear stories.

  "I was just visiting with Her Grace," Edward said. "I had hoped to pass some time with Lady Penelope while I was here."

  "Yes, well—" Harold paused, unable to add anything substantial that wasn't an out-and-out lie.

  "We had a bit of a tiff last time we talked," Edward said irritably, angry that he'd have to admit such a thing. "It's been over a week since I've seen her."

  "As long as all that?"

  "Her Grace advises that she's gone to the country."

  Though the remark sounded casual, there was a definite query behind it, so Harold kept his face carefully blank as Edward scrutinized it for the tiniest hint that what he'd been told wasn't true.

  Harold responded, "Yes, I thought it best."

  "Why?"

  "Well, after your disagreement, she was quite upset."

  Penny wouldn't tell him what had happened, and he couldn't blame her. He'd never taken any steps to have the type of relationship with her where they would feel comfortable discussing difficult topics.

  He'd asked Edward the cause for her agitation, and Edward had admitted that they'd quarreled, but Harold knew it had been much more than a simple argument. With his burgeoning feelings for Penny's welfare coming to the fore, it was probably just as well that Edward had downplayed the situation, for if Harold learned that Edward had done something despicable to her, Harold might very well give the man a beating.

  There were only two people in the world who knew what had occurred that night in the garden, and neither of them

  176 Cheryl Holt

  would say. Harold couldn't get past his suspicion that Edward's actions had been the reason for her sudden desire to run away.

  Bluntly he declared, "She was no longer certain that she wanted to go through with the wedding."

  "What has her opinion to do with anything?" Edward scoffed. "You and I have already agreed to move up the date. It's to be held in nine days."

  "I realize that," Harold said testily.

  "I thought it was all arranged."

  "It is. Penny is just taking a brief respite in order to come to terms with our decision." He stepped around Edward and into the foyer, saying as he went, "Now, if you'll excuse me ..."

  He rushed down the hall before Edward could detain him further. As he passed one of the salons, he heard his wife calling out, but he didn't break his stride. He walked into his library and closed the door, knowing that no one would dare disturb him.

  He paced back and forth, but the trip from one end of the room to the other was too short to give him an opportunity for adequate contemplation. Frustrated and angry, he stalked the floorboards wh
ile wishing he could get his hands on that accursed American's neck. He'd squeeze until there wasn't a breath left in the knave's long, lanky body.

  A servant braved a knock, which was surprising. None of them knew what was going on except that the duke was in a state, and they were all staying clear until the current storm blew over.

  "What is it?" he barked.

  Jensen, the boldest of the dozens on the staff, stuck his head in. “It's the duchess, sir. Her Grace asks me to advise you that she desires an appointment." He tipped his head in that manner he had, as if he didn't care what response he was given, but Harold suspected that the old bastard was hanging on every word, ready to run to the kitchens, where he and others would pick over each juicy detail like dogs at a bone.

  "I do not want to be disturbed. By anyone,'' he emphasized,

  MY TRUE LOVE 177

  letting Jensen get the message loudly and clearly that he didn't intend to talk with his wife. The capable retainer would obey, and the duchess would need an army to move past the fortifications Jensen would erect to block her entrance. ' T would have thought the closed door would have told you as much."

  "Very good, sir."

  "However, I must speak with Purdy. Have him found and sent in immediately. Him and only him. Is that clear?"

  Jensen exited, nodding, and Harold moved to his desk and laid Pendleton's missive in the center. With shaking hands he broke the seal and unfolded the note, reading quickly.

  Westmoreland,

  This is your last chance. Your daughter's future lies in the balance. What say you?

  Lucas Pendleton

  With immense relief he collapsed into his chair. He'd guessed right! He'd read the scoundrel correctly! Pendleton wouldn't hurt her. For the time being she was safe, and the game could proceed while his men continued to search.

  A sudden gleam entered his eye, and he took a piece of parchment, dipped his pen, and wrote his reply.

  ******************

  "Dearly beloved ..." the minister began curtly.

  Penny barely listened to the opening words. The pastor Lucas had found was a tall, stern man in his late twenties who probably would have been quite good-looking if he hadn't appeared so dour and grumpy. He was another American visiting in London, as Lucas was, and Lucas felt that his nationality made him a better choice than any of his English counterparts whom they could have enlisted in their scheme. Just by the fact that he was a foreigner, he was less likely to run into any of the duke's men.

  Her only concern about him other than his poor attitude was that he might not be officially sanctioned by the Church to perform

  178 Cheryl Holt

  a marriage on English soil, and she couldn't afford to be engaged in any act that would allow others to cry foul later on. All the details about the wedding had to be on the up-and-up.

  Before the man opened his prayer book, she'd had a brief second to whisper her concerns to Lucas, and he'd quickly assured her that there were no problems with credentials or authority. Lucas had the special license in his pocket, and the man was a fully vested minister, so the service could go forward. She felt obligated to agree, but that didn't mean she had to like the fellow, and she refused to let him dampen her perfect moment with his foul mood.

  Instead of paying attention, she let her gaze wander around the front parlor, and she was forced to muffle a squeal of unrestrained glee. She and Colette had spent the morning gathering flowers and greenery, trimming candles, and decorating the room. It looked like an enchanted bower, a place in which a woman could wed the man of her dreams, then proceed to living happily ever after.

  The afternoon had passed in a frenzy as she'd readied herself out of sight of the two serving women. They believed that she and Lucas were already married, so Penny needed to continue the ruse. In order to give them an acceptable explanation for the hurried preparations, Penny had told them that it was her first anniversary, and she was going to surprise her husband with a celebration when he arrived home for the evening. The two women had found the entire idea extremely romantic and cheerfully agreed to do their part to make the night a success.

  The housemaid had played with Harry all day in order to keep him from getting underfoot, but also to tire him so he'd go to bed early.

  Penny had asked Cook to try her hand at a more exotic fare than she typically fixed, and she'd created a number of interesting items before she'd left for the day. Wanting only to please, the other woman had graciously accepted Penny's simple suggestions regarding choices, and had even made a trip into the village to buy a few particular items.

  MY TRUE LOVE 179

  Though Cook was by no means a chef, she had a good heart and had tried her best. Penny hoped die dishes would prove edible, because she intended to feed them to Lucas as his wedding supper. In her bedroom. Even now, as they huddled in the downstairs salon, saying their vows, the trays filled with food, wine decanters, and crystal goblets were discreetly situated, awaiting his enjoyment of the refreshments and much, much more.

  Her stomach twinged. Finally! Finally she would discover what was whispered about behind all those fans! Finally she could put into practice all the lessons Colette had taught her over the years. Finally she would know the joy and pleasure of lying with a man who meant everything to her.

  Colette had massaged her skin with fragrant oils, buffing her nails, styling her hair, and making last-minute alterations to her dress. It had nothing in common with the gaudy, elaborate gown that had been designed by a Parisian modiste for her first wedding. That dress still hung in one of the many closets in her father's home, in anticipation of the day they had all supposed she would walk down the aisle with Edward.

  Although she wished Lucas could have seen her wearing it, the gown, along with its stays and petticoats, wouldn't have fit in either of the bags in which she'd packed her elopement wardrobe. Necessity had forced her to choose a simpler dress, but she'd chosen well, and it fit the country house and the event as though specially made for the modest celebration.

  A light blue silk with a high waist, low neck, and puffed sleeves, it was the exact color of her eyes, the dark blue piping around the neck and skirt making them seem deeper, darker, more mysterious. The fabric had a silver thread running through it that shimmered when she walked. With each shift in the candlelight, she glowed, and the dress came alive as though it were moving about on her skin.

  She'd highlighted her ensemble with a single strand of small diamonds that sparkled as well. The matching earrings dangled and swayed with each turn of her head.

  180 Cheryl Holt

  Her blond hair, brushed a thousand strokes during the never-ending afternoon, glistened. Colette had wound it into dainty ringlets, then swept it up on her head, where it was held in place by a few diamond-studded combs. The long curls brushed softly across her shoulders, making her appear beautiful and desirable.

  Lucas agreed, she could tell. He hadn't been able to take his eyes off her from the second she'd started down the stairs.

  Suddenly the room became dreadfully quiet. She looked around. Everyone was staring at her.

  "Well?" the minister asked into the daunting silence, his expression decidedly grim.

  "Well, what?" she asked.

  "Do you take this man," he repeated firmly, enunciating each word as though she were a simpleton, "to be your lawfully wedded husband?"

  "Oh!" she exclaimed, blushing as she faced Lucas and gave him her brightest smile. "I do. I truly do."

  All parties breathed a sigh of relief, as though they'd feared for one horrid instant that she'd changed her mind and wasn't going to go through with it.

  As if she would walk away from this wonderful man!

  He'd returned late, with barely enough time to wash up before the proceedings began, so he wasn't dressed in any finery, just his day's work clothes. Still, he was so handsome that it hurt to gaze upon him, and she lowered her eyes.

  He squeezed her hand, and she squeezed his. She made a few
more vows. He made a few too. Then, just like that, the ceremony was over. With Colette and the pastor watching, Lucas gave her a quick chaste peck on the lips, they signed the license, and the minister prepared to leave. Lucas followed him out, whispering to her that he needed to give the man a few coins for his coming round so late and saying the words.

  Once the door closed behind the two men, she turned to Colette. "I did it!" she declared, taking what felt like her first breath in months. "I really did it!"

  MY TRUE LOVE 181

  "Oui, oui, mon amie," Colette said, huge tears of joy dripping down her face.

  "What did you think?"

  "Magnifique!" she replied. "You are the most beautiful bride I have ever seen."

  "And my husband?"

  “Magnifique, aussi! Très beau. Très charmant. What a brilliant pair you are. You will make many pretty children together." She took Penny's face in her hands and kissed both her cheeks. "This I know to be true."

  The mention of children set Penny to blushing again. But though she reddened at the reference to what was coming, she couldn't wait to present Lucas with a son, and she was excited to start working on the project immediately.

  "I'm going upstairs before he comes back," she said, beginning to climb even as she spoke. ' T want plenty of time to get ready."

  "With the way you look tonight, Monsieur will not be able to resist."

  They stepped into her room, and Penny closed the door.

  ******************

  Lucas stood inside the barn, lantern in hand, while Matthew prepped his horse in order to depart. Since they'd stepped out of the house, his brother hadn't uttered a word, and Lucas couldn't bear the damning silence a moment longer. He asked, "What are you thinking?"

  "What am I thinking?" Matthew gave him a vexed stare, fiddled with his saddle, then said in a low, hushed voice, "She loves you. You realize that, don't you?"